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The  Little  Treasure 


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»    FRENCH'S 

AMEEICAN    DFt^MA.. 

Slje  Acting  Suction. 
No.  CXXV. 


THE 


LITTLE   TREASURE 


A     COMEDY,     IN     TWO     ACTS 


BY    A.     HARRIS. 

AUTHOR   OF   "THE  AVALANCHE;"    "TOO   MUCn    OF   A    GOOD   THING  J  "    "  BETTT 
MABTOf  ;  "    "FAIRY   PAGE  J  "    "  OUR   NURSE  J  "    "  DOROTHY,"    &C,    AO. 


TO   WHICH   ARE    ADDED, 

A  3e*cription  of  the  Costume — Cast  of  the  Characters— Entrances  and  Exits — Relttir* 
Positions  of  the  Performers  on  the  Stage,  and  the  whole  of  the  Stage  Business, 


NEW-YORK : 
SAMUEL    FRENCH, 

122    NASSAU-STREET. 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 


First  performed  at  the  Tfteatre  Royal  Hay  market,  on  Thursday, 
October  lltA,  1855. 

CHARACTERS. 


Captain     Walter    Mayden- 

blush  ... 

Sir  Charles  Howard 
Hon.  Leicester  Fluttermore 
Mr.  Allembourne  - 
James    - 


HiYMARKET,  LONDON. 

Mr.  Buckstone. 

"   Howe.    - 

"    Villiers.  - 
"   Braid.     - 


Lady  Florence  Howard  Miss  Swanborough. 

Gertrude,  daughter   of  Sir  )  ,r.     t,,       ,     t, 

Charles  and  Lady  Howard  f  Mlss  ^anehe  Fane. 
Mrs.  Meddleton      -        -         Mrs.  Poynter. 
Jjne      ....         Mrs.  Ellis. 


Wallace's,  iotth* 

[■  Mr.  Lester. 

"  Stewart. 

"  Norton. 

"  Harrison. 

"  Burke. 

Mrs.  Hoey. 

[■  Miss  Mary  Ganuon. 

Mrs.  Vernon. 
Miss  Pine. 


COSTUMES. 


SIR  CHARLES.— First  Dress  ;  Black  velvet  morning  jacket,  lined  with 
red  eilk — fancy  trowsers,  and  waistcoat.  Second  Dress:  Eveniug  drew 
suit. 

CAPTAIN  WALTER.— First  Dress:  Gray  morning  jacket— white 
trowsers — fancy  waistcoat.     Second  Dress  :  Evening  suit. 

THE  HONORABLE  LEICESTER  FLUTTERMORE.— E  reniug  suit 

ALLEMBOURNE.— Evening  suit. 

Three  or  four  GUESTS.— Dress  suits. 

SERVANTS.— Neat  liveries. 

LADY  HOWARD.— Silver  gray  silk  dress. 

GERTRUDE.— White  and  blue  muslin  dress. 

MRS.  MEDDLETON.— Dark  blue  silk  brocade. 

JANE. — Coloured  muslin,  black  silk  aproD. 


_0  i.imuuv 

^IV.^|,o1,,,0,,,ORN) 

/if  55  L  5  M.MA  U/i(ll)Am 


THE    LITTLE    TREASURE. 


ACT   I. 

SCENE  I. — An  elegantly  furnished  saloon  in  a  villa  at  Richmond;  at 
back  a  terrace  looking  upon  a  picturesque  garden.  All  the  entrances 
from,  centre  doors. 

Lady  Florence  is  discovered  working  at  an  embroidery  frame,  l.  o,  Mrs. 
Meddleton  is  reading  the  paper  near  the  fire,  l.  3  e.  ;  Gertrude  it 
standing  near  a  table  at  l.  o,  attentively  examining  a  map. 

Ger.  [Suddenly  raising  her  head.]  Mamma  1 

Lady  F  Well,  dear. 

Ger.  Is  it  very  far  to  India  ? 

Lady  F.  To  what  part  of  Iudia  do  you  allude,  my  child  ? 

Ger.  To  the  part  where  papa  lives. 

Mrs.  M.  [Aside — angrily.']  Papa!  there  she  goes  agaiu. 

Lady  F.  [Embarrassed]  Your  father? 

Ger.  Yes,  mamma,  did  you  not  tell  me  the  other  day  that  he  was  in 
India  ? 

Lady  F.  [Embarrassed.]  Doubtless,  but  he  is  not  confined  to  any  par- 
ticular spot  or  country,  he  is  travelling  upon  business. 

Ger.  He  never  seems  to  write  to  us.  How  is  it,  mamma,  that  he  never 
writes  to  us  ? 

Lady  F.  I — I  don't  know,  my  dear. 

Ger.  It's  very  strange  that  he  should  be  always  travelling,  and  that 
neither  his  wife,  nor  his  mother-in  law,  nor  his  daughter  should  ever  hear 
from  him.  Oh,  I  should  so  like  to  see  him.  I'm  sure  I  should  love  him 
very  dearly.  [Lady  Florence  rises  and  crosses,  r.  ;  Mrs.  Medpleton  tap* 
uneasily  with  her  foot.]  But  what  is  the  matter  with  you  both  ? 

Lady  F.  I — I  have  a  slight  headache. 

Mrs.  M.  And  I — a — a — distracting  toothache. 

Ger.  There,  that's  what  you  always  say  whenever  I  speak  about  papa; 
well,  well,  I'll  change  the  subject,  I  may  perhaps  be  permitted  to  ask  alter 
another  traveller,  my  cousin  Walter? 

Lady  F.  (r.)  I  received  a  letter  from  him  this  very  morning,  informing 


4  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

me  that  be  bad  left  tbe  army,  and  expected  to  reacb  England  almost  as 
soon  as  his  letter. 

Ger.  He's  coming  back,  then ;  how  glad  I  am ;  he's  such  a  good  tem- 
pered, kind,  dear  fellow. 

Mrs.  M.  [Lays  down  paper  and  comes  down  l.]  Yes,  yes,  that's  the  way 
with  you  little  girls  ;  it  ouly  require  a  few  compliments  to  make  them  pre- 
fer an  utter  stranger  to  the  parents,  tbe  relations  who  devote  their  lives  to 
them. 

Gert.  [Indignantly]  Grandma,  how  can  you  talk  so?  My  cousin  is  not 
a  stranger,  and  never  paid  me  a  compliment  in  all  his  life  !  If  you  go  on 
in  this  way.  you'll  soon  be  jealous  of  my  little  canary.  By-the-bye  that 
reminds  me,  I  haveu't  given  the  poor  little  fellow  anything  to  eat  to-day  ! 
[laughing.]  Good  by,  cross,  ill-natured  granny.  [Kisses  her.']  Good  bye, 
dear  mamma  !  [kissing  her.]  You've  no  idea  bow  handsome  you  look  this 
morning 

[Stops  at  back,  kisses  her  hand  to  the  tvjo  ladies,  and  runs  off.  c.  and  l. 

Mrs.  M.  (l.)  That  child  is  growing  quite  a  woman.  We  must  soon 
think  of  finding  a  husband  for  her. 

Lady  F.  (r.)  And  in  our  painful  position,  I  fear  it  will  be  no  easy  task 
to  find  one  worthy  of  her. 

Mrs.  M.  And  why,  I  should  like  to  know  ?  Because  you  are  separated 
from  your  husband  ?  Pshaw,  the  thing's  an  every  day  occurrence.  Besides, 
the  fault  was  not  on  your  side  ;  no  sooner  had  the  birth  of  little  Gertrude 
made  Sir  Charles  a  father,  than  he  complained  that  her  cry  of  "  papa"  dis 
tracted  him — that  the  sight  of  a  child  in  long  clothes  shocked  his  ideas  of 
the  picturesque.  I  suppose  he'd  have  bis  daughter  come  into  the  world  in 
full  ball  costume,  with  short  sleeves  and  deep  flounces,  and  although  he  had 
a  charming  wife,  and  a  little  one  of  four  years  old,  it  was  evident  that  do- 
mestic happiness  possessed  no  charms  for  him — besides,  no  woman  in  her 
senses  would  ever  dream  of  a  reconciliation  with  a  man  who,  for  twelve 
years,  has  so  completely  estranged  himself. 
Lady  F.  True,  mother,  you  are  right. 

Mrs.  M.  Then  why  regret  him,  as  you  appear  to  do  ?  As  for  suitors 
for  our  Gertrude,  I  promise  you  they'll  not  be  wanting;  leave  that  to  me; 
I'm  wealthy  enough  to  take  upon  myself  the  responsibility  of  finding  a  good 
match  for  her. 

Enter  "Walter,  c.  from  n.  followed  by  a  Servant. 

Wal.  [Without.]  I  tell  you  it  is  perfectly  unnecessary. 

Servant.  [Announcing]  Captain  Walter  Maydenblush. 

Wal.  [2b  Servant.]  There,  now  I  hope  you're  satisfied. 

[Exit  Servant,  c.  and  R. 

LadyF.  What— Walter ! 

Mrs.  M.  Himself,  I  declare  ! 

Wal.  [Comes  down,  c]  Your  servant,  in  his  extreme  zeal,  would  insist 
upon  announcing  me;  now,  will  you  believe  it,  the  very  idea  of  being  an- 
nounced so  reacts  upon  my  constitutional  shyness,  that  it  almost  incapaci- 
tates me  from  entering  the  room  at  all.  However,  dear  ladies,  allow  me 
to  express  my  happiness  at  seeing  you,  after  so  long  au  absence. 

Lady  F.  (r.  c.)  So  you've  returned  to  us  at  last  ? 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  5 

Wal.  (c.)  And  for  good  this  time,  I  promise  you. 

Mrs.  M.  (l.)  What,  tired  of  soldiering.  Why,  formerly  fire  and  smoke 
3eemed  iudispeusable  to  your  existence  ! 

Wal.  Yes,  but  you  see  my  coufounded  bashfulness  has  interfered  'with 
my  career,  from  the  very  ouset.  I  shall  never  forget  my  college  examina- 
tion !  The  very  sight  of  the  half  dozen  professors,  looking  like  an  empau- 
nel led  jury,  took  my  breath  away  !  I  stuttertd  aud  stammered  and  made 
such  odd  answers,  that  I  quite  puzzled  my  judges.  One  of  them,  evidently 
wishing  to  indulge  in  a  joke  at  my  expense,  asked  me  "  Who  was  the 
author  of  Milton's  Paradise  Lost  V  Will  you  believe  it,  I  was  in  such  an 
awful  state  of  nervousness  that,  after  puzzling  my  brain  for  several  minutes, 
I  replied,  "I  didn't  know."  [The  Ladies  laugh.]  However,  in  the  army,  I 
was  acknowledged  to  be  in  my  element,  and  as  long  as  the  fighting  lasted 
it  was  all  well  enough:  but  the  inactivity  which  followed  induced  me  to 
sell  out,  and  here  I  am,  and  glad  to  see  you  both  looking  so  well.  [To 
Mrs.  Meddleton.]   Where's  little  Gertrude  ?     At  school,  I  suppose. 

Lady  F.  Here  she  comes  to  answer  for  herself. 

[Goes  up  and  round  to  Mas.  Meddleton. 

Wal.  [Seeing  her  surprised.]  Oh  ! 

Gertrude  enters  c.from  l.  and  advances  r. 

Oert.  It  is — I'm  sure  it  is  1  I  know  I'm  not  mistaken  !  It's  Cousin 
Walter.  How  delighted  I  am  that  you're  come  back.  What !  have  you 
nothing  to  say  to  me  ?   [Reproachful!//.]  Are  you  not  not  going  to  kiss  me. 

Wal.  [Shyly.]  Why  you  see,  Cousin  Gertrude,  you've  grown  so,  aud 
look  so  beautiful ! 

Gert.  [Surprised,]  Well,  that  needn't  prevent  you  ! 

Wal.  No,  no  !     If  I  was  otdy  certain  that  you  would  permit  me  ! 

Gert.  Permit  you  1  Of  course  I  will !  [They  embrace.]  But  what  ails 
you  ?  how  red  you  are  1 

Wal.  [Confused]  I — Oh.  indeed  !  I — I  suppose  it's  the  heat  1 

Gert.  The  heat !     Why,  it's  a  very  cold  day  ! 

Wal.  [Confused.]  Then  it's  the  cold  day.  [The  ladies  laugh. 

Gert.  Why  Walter,  you  don't  mean  to  say  you're  as  shy  as  you  used  to 
be? 

Wal.  Worse  ;  especially  at  certain  moments. 

Gert.  Then  I  assure  you  it's  just  the  reverse  with  me.  Since  I've  left 
school  you  can't  think  how  bold  I've  grown. 

Wal.  [With  more  confidence.]  Oho!  You've  left  school,  have  you  I 
You're  getting  quite  a  young  woman,  now  ;  how  proud  your  papa  must  ba 
of  you. 

Gerl.  Papa! 

[Lady  Florence  and  Mrs.  Meddleto.v  cough  significantly. 

Wal.  [Innocently.]  What,  ladies,  have  you  coughs  ? 

Lady  F.  No.     It's  the — the 

Wal  The  damp  weather,  doubtless.  Yes,  I  met  Sir  Charles  in  Regent 
Street  this  morning.  [Crossing  to  Mrs.  Meddleton] 

Lady  F.  Indeed  you  must  be  mistaken. 

■"vj^   No,  not  I!     I  flatter  myself  I  know  him  too  intimately. 


6  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

Gert.  (eagerly.)  You  met  my  father,  you  say  ?  {joyfully.)  Then  he  has 
returned  from  India. 

Walter,  {puzzled.)     From  India  ? 

Lady  F.  (aside  to  Walter.)     Silence  ! 

Airs.  31.  No.no!  (pinching  him.)     No.  not  a  word. 

Walter,  {aside,  rubbing  his  arm.)  Confound  it !  the  old  lady  is  strong 
in  the  fingers,  {going  to  c.) 

Gert.  (aside.)     What  can  be  the  meaning  of  all  this  mystery  ? 

Lady  F.  Gertrude,  it  must  be  time  for  you  to  take  your  drawing  lesson. 

Mrs.  31.  {going  up  towards  c.)  Yes,  child,  we  had  better  go  and  6ee 
whether  your  drawiner-master  is  come. 

Gert.  {pouting.)     No,  no!     I'd  rather  stay  with  my  cousin. 

Mrs.  M.  Come,  child,  come! 

Gert.  (aside)  I  shall  see  him  again  presently,  and  then  I'll  make  him 
tell  me  all !  {makes  signs  indicating  that  he  is  to  await  her  return.) 

[Exeunt  with  Mas.  Meddleton  c  and  l. 

Walter,  (a.  aside.)     What  ou  earth  can  she  mean  by  those  sigus  ? 

Lady  F.  (l.)  Walter,  how  could  you  be  so  imprudent  as  to  speak  of 
Sir  Charles  before  Gertrude  ? 

Waller.  Ten  thousand  pardons,  my  dear  Lady  Florence,  for  my  forget- 
fulness ;  but  is  it  possible  that  during  my  long  absence  no  reconciliation 
has  taken  place  between  you  \ 

Lady  F.  You  must  surely  know  that  under  existing  circumstances  recon- 
ciliation is  impossible. 

Walter.  I  had  hoped  to  find  it  otherwise.  Is  Gertrude  still  ignoraDt  of 
the  real  state  of  the  case? 

Lady  F.  She  is.  You  can  easily  understand  how  difficult  it  would  have 
been  to  explain  so  delicate  a  subject  to  so  youug  a  girl. 

Walter.  I  confess  it  would  have  puzzled  me  considerably. 

Lady  F.  You  will  be  careful,  therefore,  never  to  allude  to  the  circum- 
stances again  in  her  presence.  Aud  now  let  us  change  the  subject.  You 
have  left  the  army,  you  say ;  well,  what  are  your  plans  ?  Do  you  intend 
to  adopt  another  profession,  or  have  you  made  up  your  mind  to  marry  and 
settle  ? 

Walter.  As  regards  the  choice  of  a  profession,  I'm  thinkiug  of  selecting 
that  of  a  "  Geutleinau  about  Ton  n,"  being  the  only  one  for  which  no  special 
qualifications  are  required.  As  for  marriage,  thanks  to  my  bashfulness  I 
must  give  up  that  idea:  I've  made  a  few  attempts  in  my  time,  but  all  with 
the  same  result.  I  got  on  pretty  well  until  the  awful  moment  arrived 
when  I  had  to  pop  the  momentous  question — I  blushed,  stammered,  and 
broke  down  in  the  neat  little  speech  I  had  concocted  for  the  oceasiou, 
while  the  lad}-,  not  knowing  what  on  earth  I  meant  to  say,  only  laughed  at 
me  and  then  it  was  all  over  with  me;  so  I've  made  up  my  mind  to  remain 
a  bachelor  uutil  the  end  of  my  days,  unless  I  should  be  fortunate  enough  to 
meet  with  a  lady  who  will  reverse  the  order  of  things,  and  ask  me  to  marry 
her. 

Lady  F.  {laughing.)     Such  a  thing  may  happen — who  knows  ? 

Enter  Servant,  c.  from  a. 

Servant.  Mrs.  Montague  is  in  the  drawing-room,  aud  desires  to  see  your 
ladyship. 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  7 

Lady  1<.  I  will-  join  her  immediately.  [Exit  Servant,  c.  and  a. — to 
W  vlteb.)  By-the-bye,  Walter,  you  must  make  the  acquaintance  of  this 
lady — a  neighbor  of  ours — a  charming  young  widow.  I'll  ask  her  to  dine 
with  us;  you'll  remain  of  course,  and  I'll  introduce  you. 

Walter.  Many  thanks,  but — I  hate  introductions.  No,  no,  I  rather  think 
I've  business  this  evening — (confused.)  on  change. 

Lady  F.  I'll  take  no  excuse,  you  must  remain.  Don't  be  alarmed  ;  we'll 
do  ail  the  talking ;  we  shall  not  expect  you  to  utter  a  syllable. 

[Exit,  laughing,  c.  ands.. 

Enter  Gertrude,  cautiously,  c.  from  r.  down  l. 

Gert.  (in  a  loud  whisper.)    Walter! 

Walter.  What,  is  it  you,  my  little  dear — I  mean  Miss  Gertrude  ? 

Gert.    (mysteriously.)    I've  seized  the  opportunity  to  speak  to  you  alone 

Walter.  To  me  ? 

Gert.  Hush  !  The  moments  are  precious,  (brings  down  two  chairs,  and 
forces  him  to  sit  opposite  her  in  the  middle  of  the  stage.)  Now,  then  listen 
to  me.  I  know  for  certain  that  a  secret  has  been  kept  from  me  for  many 
years.  You  are  in  possession  of  that  secret,  and  must  instantly  confess  the 
whole  truth. 

Walter.  A  secret ! 

Gert.  Yes,  in  which  my  father  is  concerned. 

Walter,  (aside.)  Hem  !  this  is  rather  unpleasant. 

Gert.  I  am  certain  that  he  is  not  in  India  ;  for  I  heard  you  say  that  you 
saw  him  in  town  this  very  morning. 

Walter.  A — a — that's  to  say  I  thought  I  saw  him. 

Gert.  Walter,  you  know  you  saw  hiin,  and  I  insist  on  your  telling  me 
why  be  never  comes  here. 

Walter.  A — a — now  really  you  know  I  have  only  just  arrived  from 
Byroad  ;  so  it's  utterly  impossible  I  should  know  aay thing  about  the  matter. 

Gert.  (looking  at  him  seriously)     Walter,  you're  telling  a  fib. 

Walter.  I — I  assure  you 

Gert.  Walter,  you've  been  talked  over  by  mamma  1 

Walter,  (confused.)  Really  I — I 

Gert.  (earnestly.)  You've  been  bought  up  by  grandma!  (coaxing/;/.) 
Now,  Walter — dear  Waller,  in  the  name  of  the  friendship  that  you  always 
appeared  to  bear  me,  I  conjure  you  to  answer  me  frankly. 

Walter.  Inquisitive  little  rogue  ! 

Gert.  No,  Walter ;  it's  no  idle  curiosity  which  impels  me.  Remember, 
'tis  of  my  father  that  I  am  begi^iug  you  to  tell  me.  Have  I  not  the  right 
to  know  why  I,  his  child,  am  still  a  stranger  to  hiin?  (crying.)  Do,  Waiter 
do  explain  this  mystery  ! 

Walter,  (aside.)    Poor  girl ! 

Gert.  (tragically.)    And  I'll  swear  never  to  repent  a  word. 

Walter.  You  swear  it  ?  But  no,  'tis  needless  (aside.)  sooner  or  later,  she 
must  learn  the  truth,  so  I  may  as  well  tell  her  now.  (aloud.)  Well,  little 
cousin,  I'll  tell  you  all  I  know. 

Gert.  (throwing  her  arms  round  his  neck)    That's  a  good  dear  Walter 

Walter,  (aside — embarrassed.)  What  a  remarkably  uice  girl  she's  grown, 
to  be  sure* 


8  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

Gert.  {very  impatiently.)    Now — go  on — go  on. 

Walter.  Well,  then,  you  must  know  in  the  first  place,  that  your  father  is 
not  in  India,  and  to  my  certain  knowledge  has  never  been  there. 

Gert.  (rises  very  much  excited.)  I  said  so  !  I  knew  it!  I  was  sure,  (sits.) 
why  then  does  he  not  live  at  home  with  us  ? 

Walter,  (embarrassed.)  Because — 

Gert.  (impatiently.)   Because  what  ? 

Walt.  Because  twelve  yeais  ago,  some  disagreement  took  place  between 
your  mother  and  him,  they  separated,  and  have  lived  apart  ever  since. 

Gert.  But  what  could  have  caused  the  quarrel —  this  long  separation  ? 

Walt.  Why  you  see,  your  father  married  young,  very  young,  too  young! 
However,  I  by  no  means  assert  that  the  fault  was  entirely  on  his  side. 

Gert.  Then  you  mean  to  say,  that  mamma  was  in  the  wrong  too. 

Walter,  (liastily.)  I  didn't  say  that  either  !  I'm  inclined  to  believe  that 
Mis.  Meddleton  was  in  some  way  connected  with  the  cause  of  the  dispute. 

Gert.  Is  it  possible  that  you  accuse  my  grandma  ? 

Walt.  I — I — I  accuse  no  one. 

Gert.  (continuing.)  Dear  old  grandma,  who  never  had  a  will  of  her  own 
and  with  whom  I  can  do  just  what  I  please  ! 

Walt.  I  have  not  the  slightest  doubt  that  as  a  grandma  Mrs.  Meddleton 
is  all  that  is  mild  and  affectionate,  but  as  a  mother-in  law,  there's  no  deny- 
ing that  her  temper  was  by  no  means  of  the  sweetest  description,  especially 
on  raiuy  days,  (significantly.)  Now  it  happened  to  rain  a  great  deal  during 
the  year  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-three. 

Gert.  There  must  be  other  and  more  weighty  reasons  than  this;  I  im- 
plore you  to  tell  me  what  can  have  separated  my  father  from  his  home  and 
family. 

Wal.  What  ?  Well  then,  since  you  insist  upon  knowing  the  exact  truth 
— it  was  you  ! 

Gert.  [Astonished.]   I  ? 

Wal.  Yes,  you !  I  did  not  like  to  say  so  at  first,  but  the  fact  is,  your 
father  couldn't  bear  children,  and  it  so  happened  that  when  you  were  a 
child  your  character  was  rather  a  violent  oue.  You've  no  idea  what  a 
frightful  noise  you  used  to  make-,  especially  when  you  were  cutting  your 
teeth  ;  and  when  you  were  four  years  old  and  couldn't  get  everything  you 
wanted,  your  screams  were  frightful. 

Gert.  [Much  excited,  and  speaking  at  the  top  of  her  voice.]  That  may  be, 
but  I  am  no  longer  a  child.  I  never  make  a  noise  now,  and  I've  got  all  my 
teeth  ;  aud,  I  say,  that  this  separation  must  not — shall  not  continue  ! 

[They  rise. 

Wal.  My  dear  Gertrude,  I  am  entirely  of  your  opinion !  but  after  all 
that  has  occurred,  I  know  of  oue  circumstance  ouly,  which  can  ever  re-unite 
your  parents. 

Gert.  And  that  is  ? 

Wal.  Your  marriage. 

Gert.  My  marriage!  I  don't  understand  you. 

Wal.  Why,  don't  you  see,  that,  to  ai  range  preliminaries  it  would  be  ne- 
cessary that  an  interview  should  take  place  between  your  parents — this 
point  once  gained,  who  knows  what  this  meeting  might  bring  about? 

Gert.  Perhaps  a  reconciliation  !     Ad  excellent  idea  1 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  V 

Wal.  [Aside.]  One  of  the  very  few  for  which  I  can  claim  credit. 

Gert.  Then  I  must  get  married  !  [eagerly]  I'll  get  married  directly. 

Wal.  Gently — gently.  A  marriage  can't  be  got  up  in  this  violent 
manner. 

Gert.  Why  not  ? 

Wal.  Why  ?  Jn  the  first  place,  in  order  to  get  married,  you  will  re- 
quire  

Gert.  [Impatiently.]  What — what  ? 

Wal.  Oh — it's  only  a  trifle — a  husband. 

Gert.  Is  that  all !  Oh !  I  don't  care  who  it  is !  I'll  have  who  ever  hap- 
pens to  turn  up ! 

Wal.  [Aside.]  Upon  my  word  she  doesn't  seem  at  all  particular. 

Gert.  I — I'll  have  you. 

Wal.  [Aside]  The  devil  you  will. 

Gert.  Yes  !  you'll  do  admirably  1  and  the  thing  can  be  settled  at  once  1 

Wal.  [Aside.]  By  Jove  !  she's  popping  the  question  to  me  ! 

Gert.  [Coaxingly.]  If  you  don't  like  me,  Walter — sacrifice  yourself,  for 
my  sake ! 

Wal.  Not  like  you  1  lor  bless  youM  if  I  had  only  the  courage,  I  would 
confess — I  almost  love  you. 

Gert.  Then  the  thing's  settled  1 

Wal.  But  don't  you  think 

Gert.  The  thing's  settled,  I  tell  you  ?  Here  comes  mamma,  you  had 
better  ask  her  permission  at  once. 

Enter  Lady  Florence,  c.  from  n. 

Wal.  Really,  I— I  [aside.]  Ton  my  life,  I'm  all  in  a  flutter. 

Lady  F.  [down  l.]  So,  so,  Gertrude  lias  been  keepj'is  you  company 
during:  my  absence  !     Well,  have  you  renewed  your  former  friendship  I 

Wal.  \c.  awkwardly.']  Yes ;  oh,  yes  ! 

Lady  F.  Still  quite  a  child,  is  she  not  i 

Wal.  Not  exactly. 

Lady  F.  Why,  Walter,  what's  the  matter  with  you  ? 

Wal.  With  me?  oh  dear,  nothing?  on  the  contrary,  I— 1  

Gert.  [r.  aside.]  Well,  why  don't  you  begin  at  once? 

Lady  F.  Something  remarkable  seems  to  have  occurred  during  my  ab- 
sence. 

Gert.  [Aside.]  Dear,  dear!  how  slow  he  is!  [aloud]  Yes,  mamma, 
something  very  remarkable  has  occurred.  Walter  was  jus*;  saying  a*  you 
came  in,  that  he  had  a  matter  of  the  utmost  importance  to  communicate  U> 
you.  . 

Lady  F.  Indeed,  Walter?  let  me  hear  it,  I  beg.  [Gertrjoe  takes  cha* 
to  l.,  Lady  Florence  sits  r.  of  l.  table.] 

Gert.  [Aside.]  Go  on ;  mamma's  listening. 

Wal.  [Perplexed— aside.]  I  know  she  is  ;  it's  that  that  bothers  eae. 

Lady  F.  Well,  sir,  I'm  all  attention. 

Wal.  [Much  confused.]  You  see,  Lady  Florence,  I— I'm  rather  embar- 
rassed  how  to  begin.  I  have  no  doubt— still,  nevertheless— the  sensibility 
of  human  nature — the  orgauie  feelings— having  known  one  anotbsr  bo  long 
1* 


10  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

and  friendship  often  ripens  into — the  general  course  of  life — into —  You 
don't  seem  to  understand — 

Lady  F.  Not  very  clearly,  I  confess. 

Gert.  [Aside]  Explain  yourself. 

Wal.  [aside  to  Gertrude.]  I  am  explaining  myself.  By  Jupiter,  how 
hot  it  is  1     When  I  left  England — 

Gert.  [aside.]  Where's  he  going  now,  I  wonder  ? 

Wal.  [embarrassed.']  I  was  far  from  imagining — 

Gert.  [interrupting  hi?n.]  "  Far  from  imagining !"  nonsense,  sir  1  you 
meau,  you  had  made  up  your  mind. 

Lady  F.  Proceed,  proceed. 

Gert.  [prompting  him.]  And  as  I,  on  my  side — 

Wal.  And  as  she  on  her  side  ! — 

Gert.  My  cousin  Gertrude — 

Wal.  [repealing.]  My  cousin  Gertrude  ! 

Lady  F.  My  dear  children,  I  am  just  as  much  in  the  dark  as  ever  1 
Will  either  ol  you  oblige  me  by  speaking  a  language  that  I  can  understand  ? 

Gert.  /will,  mamma.  [Going  to o. 

Wal.  [wiping  Ids  forehead  with  his  pocket  handkerchief.]  I'm  very  glad 
it's  out  of  my  hauds. 

Gert.  The  plain  truth  of  the  matter  is,  my  cousin  Walter  loves  me  to 
distraction.  I  adore  my  cousin  Walter,  who  was  just  imploring  me  to  ac- 
cept his  hand  and  heart  -when  your  arrival  terrified  him.  That's  what 
you  mean't  to  say,  Walter? 

Wal.  Yes,  that's  what  I  meant  to  say  ;  but  couldn't  say  it ! 

Lady  F  [laughing.]  This  is  no  doubt  a  very  excellent  joke  :  but — 

Gert.  Joke — it's  no  joke — is  it,  Walter! 

Wal.  I  should  rather  think  not  1 

Lady  F.  You  really  love  my  daughter  ? 

Wal.  F — r — rantically  ! 

Ljady  F.  Aud  she  loves  you! 

Gert.  P — passionately  ! 

Lady  F.  But  this  mutual  admiration  appears  to  have  been  of  rather 
Budden  growth. 

Wal.  Well,  ra 

Gert.  [interrupting  him.]  Not  at  all ! 

Wal.  Not  at  all ! 

Gert.  We  were  devotedly  attached  to  each  other  before  Walter  went 
abroad.  At  his  departure  we  interchanged  vows  of  eternal  constancy,  aud 
on  his  return  [romantically]  finding  how  faithfully  I  had  kept  my  plight- 
ed word,  he  determined  on  immediately  asking  your  consent  to  our  union! 
Didn't  you,  Walter? 

Wal.  Of  course,  I  did !  [aside.]  The  inventive  powers  of  that  young 
lady  are  positively  wonderful ! 

Lady  F.  But,  my  dear  Gertrude,  when  Walter  left  England  you  were — 

Gert.  Perhaps,  mamma ;  but  the  esteem  I  had  for  my  cousiu  as  a  child, 
is  now — as  he  tried  to  say — ripened  into  a  deep-rooted  affection. 

Lady  F.  [seriously  aside  to  Gertrude.]     Then  you  do  really  love  him  ? 

Gert.  That  I  do,  mamma. 

Lady  F  Walter  is  a  good  noble  hearted  young  man ;  I  have  always  felt 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  11 

the  greatest  friendship  and  esteem  for  him ;  and  if  he  is  really  siucere  in 
seeking  you  for  his  wife — 

Gert.  Sincere!  he  assured  me  he  intended  to  blow  his  hrains  out  if  you 
refused  him  ;  didn't  you,  Walter  ? 

Wal.  The  fact  is,  I  had  made  up  my  mind  to  blow  out  something. 

Lady  F.  [laughing]  Well,  then,  I  presume  I  must  give  my  consent  at 
once,  if  it's  only  to  prevent  bloodshed. 

Wal.  [aside.']  TheD  I  presume  I  may  consider  myself  a  married  man 
without  any  further  trouble  ? 

Gert.  Oh  !  thank  you  mamma  !     We  are  so  delighted. 

Wal.  It's  astonishing  how  delighted  we  are. 

Gert.  There,  Walter,  that  will  do !  Well,  now  that  we've  settled  that 
little  matter,  let  us  talk  of  something  else.  I  know  that  papa's  in  town — 
I  know  that  he  has  never  been  to  India;  in  short,  I  know  all ! 

Lady  F.  [reproach/ nil y]  Walter,  how  wrong  of  you. 

Gert.  Don  t  scold  him,  mamma  ;  you  couldn't  expect  him  to  have  any 
secrets  from  his  wife. 

Wal.  Oh,  uo  ;  couldn't  have  any  secrets  from  — 

Gert.  Walter,  that  Avill  do.  [to  her  mother]  Dearest  mamma,  will  not 
the  marriage  of  your  child  bring  about  a  reconciliation  between  two  persons 
who,  I  am  sure,  must  both  equaily  desire  it  ? 

Lady  F.  [Sternly.]  A  reconciliation  ?  never  ! 

Gert.  If  uot  a  reconciliation,  at  any  rate  a  meeting — an  interview  ! 

Waller.  Let  me  add  my  entreaties  1 

Lady  F.  No,  uo,  'tis  impossible. 

Gert.  But  I  must  have  some  one  to  give  me  away.  I  can't  go  to 
church  on  my  weddiug-day  like  au  orphan,  can  I,  Walter  ? 

Walter.  Of  course  uot.  The  presence  of  the  paternal  parent  is  utterly 
indispensable. 

Gert.  There,  mamma,  you  hear  ?  Let  me  entreat  you  then  to  receive 
my  father — for  this  once  only,  that  you  may  give  me  your  united  blessiug. 

Lady  F.  Well,  Gertrude,  for  your  sake,  and  that  of  your  husband,  I 
consent  to  receive  your  father,  and  to  confer  with  him,  so  far  as  your 
interests  may  reuder  it  necessary.  That  clone,  we  are  again  strangers  to 
each  other.  Believe  me,  Gertrude,  this  concession  is  the  greatest  proof  of 
affection  I  could  have  given  you.  [ffoeg  UP  l. 

Gert.  Thanks,  thanks,  dear  mamma :  you  have  indeed  made  me  happy. 
And  Walter,  too — eh,  Walter?  [Waiter  bows — Gertrude  pinches  hi"..] 
Say  something,  will  you  ?     You  don't  look  happy  at  all ! 

Walter,  [starting  and  gesticulating  violently.]  Happy  1  Bless  you,  I'm 
too  happy ! 

Gert.  Then  you  must  go  instantly  and  ask  my  father's  consent. 

Waller,  [without  moving.]  Another  consent?     Oh,  very  well. 

Gert.  I  said  "  instantly,"  sir — you  must  start  immediately. 

Walter.  I'm  goue — I'm  gone.  I'll  just  slip  on  a  dress  coat,  a  pair  of 
white  gloves,  and,  in  less  than  an  hour,  I  shall  be  in  the  preseuce  of  my 
father- in-law.  [aside.]  I  never  imagined  I  had  half  so  much  nerve,  [aloud 
— embracing  Lady  Florence.}  Good  bye,  mother-in-law.  {embracing 
Gertrude.]  Good  bye,  little  wife  1  [just  as  he  is  going  out,  he  meets  Mrs. 
Meddleton,  who  enters  c.from  l. — he  embraces  her.]  Good  bye,  granny  1 

[runs  off  c.  and  l. 


12  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

Mrs.  M.  (r.  h.)  Why  bless  my  soul,  what's  the  matter  -with  Walter ! 
The  youug  man  has  surely  taken  leave  of  his  senses. 

Gert.  (o.)  It's  his  joy  at  being  married. 

Mrs.  M.  Married-! 

Gert.  Yes,  dear  grandmama.  We  shall  both  be  married  on  the  same 
day — do  you  know  why  ?     Because  we  are  going  to  marry  one  another. 

Mrs.  M.  [much  astonished]  What  do  I  hear  ? 

Lady  F.  Yes,  mother.  It  appears  they  have  long  entertained  a  mutual 
affection  for  each  other ;  so  I  considered  it  my  duty  not  to  withhold  my 
consent. 

Gert.  [joyfully]  And  now  we  have  only  to  obtain  my  father's,  and 
then — 

Mrs.  M.  [surprised]  Your  father's  ? 

Lady.  F.  She  knows  all,  mother. 

Mrs.  M.  Dear,  dear  !  Well,  I  suppose  the  consent  of  the  father  is 
necessary,  as  a  matter  of  form.  I'll  write  to  him  at  once,  and  request  that 
he  will  forward  it  by  return  of  post,  [sits  at  table,  r.  h.] 

Gert.  Now,  grandma,  mind  you  write  him  a  nice,  pretty  little  letter. 

Mrs.  M.  Yes,  yes,  yes — never  fear !  I  know  how  to  address  the  gentle- 
mau.  [writing]  "  Sir,  your  daughter's  marriage  is  fixed  for — "  when  shall 
I  say?  this  day  three  weeks,  eh  ? 

Gert.  Fortnight,  grandma  1 

Mrs.  M.  No,  no,  my  dear,  three  weeks  ! 

Gert.  [impatiently]  Fortnight !  fortnight !  fortnight  1  It's  my  marriage 
— it's  not  yours  ;  and  I  insist  upon  it  being  a  fortnight. 

Mrs.  M.  Very  well.  A  fortnight  let  it  be.  Now  then,  [reading  as  slie 
writes]  "  Sir,  your  daughter's  marriage  is  fixed  for  this  day  fortnight ; 
your  consent,  per  return  of  post,  will  greatly  facilitate  the  necessary  pre- 
liminaries.    Your  obedient  servant,  Martha  Meddleton." 

Gert.  [indignantly]  You  surely  don't  call  that  a  letter  ?  Why  that's 
my  notion  of  a  summons  ;  a  notice  of  a  law  suit,  or  some  such  disagreeable 
matter. 

Enter  Servant,  c.from  r.,  presenting  a  letter  to  Lady  Florence. 

Servant.  A  letter  for  your  ladyship.  [Exit  Servant,  c.  and  r. 

Lady  F.  Heavens,  'tis  from  Sir  Charles  ! 

Gert.  [eagerly]  From  papa  ?     Read  it — quick  1  quick  1 

Mrs'  M.  [aside]  What  can  that  gentleman  want  now? 

Lady  F.  [reads]  "Madam,  as  I  am  on  the  eve  of  a  journey,  the  duration 
of  which  it  is  impossible  for  me  at  present  to  foresee,  it  would  give  me  great 
pleasure  to  take  with  me  the  portrait  of  our  child — our  little  Gertrude, 
whose  image  might  assist  to  wile  away  many  a  weary  hour.  I  cannot 
refrain  from  indulging  the  hope  that  you,  to  whom  the  origiual  is  always 
accessible,  will  not  deny  me  the  semblance  of  one  that  I  hope  will  yet  be  a 
source  of  happiness  to  both.  Believe  me,  madame,  with  much  respect, 
Charles  Howard." 

Gert.  Is  it  possible  that  my  father  thinks  of  me?  He  loves  me  then? 
Mamma,  why  do  you  not  answer  me  ? 

Lady  F.  [wiping  away  a  tear]  I  have  nothing  to  say,  Gertrude.  I  am 
glad,  however,  to  find  that  your  father  has  not  forgotten  his  child. 


THE  LITTLE  TREASUSE.  13 

Gert.  [taking  letter  from  her  mother  and  kissing  it.~\  Dear,  Oarling 
letter  I 

Mrs.  M.  [sneering) 'y — rising  and  coming  down  r.]  It  ought  to  be  some- 
thing supeiior;  he  has  oDly  been  twelve  years  thinking  about  it ! 

Gert.  I  have  nothing  lo  do  with  the  past:  'tis  the  present  that  concerns 
me.  All  I  know,  and  all  I  care  about  is,  that  my  papa  wishes  to  have  my 
portrait,  and  I'm  determined  it  shall  be  painted  for  him  immediately  I 
Let's  see,  now ;  who  was  the  artist  who  painted  Julia  Montague's  for  her  ? 
I've  got  his  card  iu  my  room ;  I'll  run  and  fetch  it.  [talking  to  herself  a» 
she  goes  out]  He  must  mind  and  making  a  striking  likeness  ;  yes,  he  shall 
take  me  in  my  tarlatan  dress,  with  plaid  ribbons,  and  wild  flowers  in  my 
hair — oh,  how  nice  !  [Exit,  c.  and  l.] 

Mrs.  M.  Hum  !  I'm  totally  at  a  loss  to  account  for  this  sudden  revival 
of  paternal  affection  on  the  part  of  your  worthy  husband.  I  have  it — I 
have  it!  It's  the  commencement  of  some  diabolical  scheme  to  rob  us  of 
our  Gertrude  !  He  knows  she  is  our  only  comfort,  and  he  evidently 
wishes  to  take  her  from  us. 

Lady  F.  Do  you  really  think  that  such  can  be  his  motive  ? 

Mrs.  M.  I'm  sure  of  it,  Florence.  But  the  monster  shan't  succeed  1 
He'll  find  his  match  iu  me  1 

Re-enter  Gertrude,  c.  from  l. 

Gert.  (c.)  Here's  the  address,  mamma,  [reading]  Mr.  Vandyke  -imith. 

Lady  F.  [coldly]  Tis  ueedless,  child. 

Gert.  [amazed]  Mamma! 

Lady  F.  'Tis  needless,  I  say.  [Exit  a  and  l 

Gert.  Needless  !  and  why,  I  should  like  to  know  ! 

Mrs.  M.  Because  we  have  altered  our  minds  on  the  subjec.  of  your 
portrait. 

Gert.  Have  you,  indeed  ?  Then  I  beg  to  inform  you  that  I  anve  not 
altered  mine.  Surely  a  father  has  a  right  to  have  a  portrait  of  fois  child, 
if  he  pleases  ?  If  I  were  ugly,  I  could  understand  your  refusiug ;  but  as  I 
happen  to  be  nothiug  of  the  sort,  I  insist  upou  my  portrait  being  paiDted, 
and  sent  to  papa,  directly  !  directly  !  directly  !  [stamping. 

Mrs.  M.  [aside]  Dear,  dear  !  the  child's  a  downright  termagant — a 
positive  volcano!  Ah,  I  was  just  like  her  at  her  age.  [aloud]  Come,  here, 
miss,  mind  me,  don't  get  in  a  passioD,  and  we'll  do  whatever  you  please 
— there  ! 

Gert.  Will  you,  really  !  Then  do  you  know  I've  an  idea ;  just  now,  while 
I  was  looking  for  the  painter's  address,  it  occurred  to  me  that  the  portrait 
might  be  a  long  while  painting,  and  that  as  papa  ia  just  on  the  eve  of 
going  abroad,  it  mightn't  be  finished  soon  enough.  Besides,  it  mightn't  be 
exactly  like  me;  [archly]  therefore  I  think  that  one  of  the  very  best 
methods  of  enabling  papa  to  form  a  correct  idea  as  to  his  daughter's 
personal  appearance,  would  be  to  send  him  the  original ! 

Mrs.  M.  [starting]  What,  miss,  are  you  mad  ? 

Gert.  Not  in  the  least,  grandma.  Don't  you  see  Hint  papa  might  refuse 
his  consent  to  the  stiff,  formal  request  you  have  made  iu  your  letter,  an-J 
then,  you  know,  I  couldn't  get  married. 


(4  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

Mrs.  M.  And  supposing  you  wouldn't,  where  would  be  the  great  harm  f 

Gert.  {tragically.)  Harm,  you  cruel  grauma!  Do  you  know  that  were 
anything  to  prevent  my  marriage  with  Walter  {with  an  affectation  of  grief .) 
I — I  should  not  long  survive  the  disappointment  1 

Mrs.  M.  Bless  my  soul,  I  had  no  idea  you  were  so  far  gone  as  all  that. 

Gert.  Yes,  but  I  am  though ! 

Mrs.  M.  Well,  well,  we  must  see  what  can  be  done !  I  begin  to  think 
you're  right  about  the  letter.  He  might  refuse  his  consent,  on  purpose  to 
annoy  us ;  whereas  if  you  were  to  make  the  request  in  person,  he  could 
refuse  nothing  to  such  a  wheedling,  coaxing  rogue,  like  yourself;  fathers 
are  so  easily  talked  over  ! 

Gert.  {aside.)  And  so  are  granma's.  {aloud.)     You  consent  then  ? 

Mrs.  M.  I  don't  exactly  see  how  I  can  help  myself. 

Gert.  That's  a  dear  old  granny.     Now  I'll  run  and  ask  mamma. 

Mrs.  M.  No — no — no — [aside.)  Florence  mustn't  know  that  1  have  al- 
tered my  opinion  so  suddenly,  {aloud.)  Your  mother  did  not  approve  in  the 
first  instance  of  your  sending  your  portrait,  and  you  know,  when  once  she 
has  made  up  her  mind  on  a  subject  she  can  uever  be  induced  to  alter  it. 

Gert.  Well  then,  we  must  invent  some  excuse  for  my  going  to  London  ; 
by  the  bye,  where  does  papa  live  ? 

Mrs  M.  No.  40,  Curzou  street,  May  Fair. 

Gert.  Thank  you!  (going.)  But  I  say,  granma,  I  can't  go  to  London  by 
myself;  suppose  you  were  to  come  with  me  to  papa's  ? 

Mrs.  M.  (horrified.)  I !  Heaven  forbid,  child !  No,  no  !  Jane  shall  go 
with  you. 

Gert.  Oh,  very  well !  {rings  bell.) 

Jane  enters  *L.]rom  c. 

Jane,  put  on  your  bonnet,  and  bring  me  mine.  [Exit  Jane  o.  and  l. 

JEnter  Lady  Florence,  c.  from  l. 

Lady  F.  (down  l.  h.)  Why,  Gertrude,  where  are  you  going  ? 

Gert.  You  see,  granma  lias  just  discovered  that  &he's  quite  out  of  Berlin 
wool — and  I  find  I  require  ever  so  many  things — so  I'm  going  to  town  with 
Jane  to  lay  in  a  stock. 

Mrs  M.  {aside.)  The  little  hypocrite. 

Jane  has  entered  c.  from  l.  with  shawl,  bonnet,  dtc,  which  Geeteude 
puts  on  before  glass. 

Lady  F.  I  have  been  thinkiug,  mother,  over  what  you  said  on  the  sub- 
ject of  the  portrait,  and  I  have  come  to  the  conclusion  that  your  arguments 
were  perfectly  unanswerable. 

Mrs.  M.  (embarrassed.)  Oh  !  You  think  so  ? 

Lady  F.  Nothing,  I  presume,  has  occurred  to  alter  your  opinion  ? 

Mrs.  M.  Oh,  dear  no!  I  always  maintained  that  the  portrait  should  not 
be  sent ;  so  we  have  therefore  resolved  (confused.)  upon  not  sending  the 
portrait. 

Gert.  (aside.)  And   have  decided  upon  substituting  the   original  {kisses 
her  mother.)  Come  Jane,  ruu,  or  we  shall  lose  the  train. 
(liuns  off  c.  and&.  followed  by  Jane;  Lady  Floeence  and  Mbs.  Meddlb- 
joxgo  up  watching  her. 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  15 

SCENE  II. — A  Richly  Furnished  Saloon— first  grooves 

Servant  enters  l.  with  letters  ;    he  places  table,  r.  c.  and  chairs. 

Servant.  What  a  quantity  of  letters  my  master  receives.  Ah,  tbat  is  to 
bts  a  rich  bachelor ;  although  he's  uot  exactly  a  bachelor,  because  he's  a 
married  man  ;  and  lie's  not  exactly  a  married  man,  because  he's  separated 
from  his  wife ;  but  married  man  or  bachelor  he  seems  to  lead  a  very  gay 
life. 

Enter  Sir  Charles  Howard,  r.  1  e. 

Tour  letters,  sir!  {gives  them  and  exit  h. 

Sir  G.  Hum!  plenty  of  invitations,  (sits.)  Breakfast  at  Lord  Goathead's, 
dinuer  at  Sir  Geoffry  Mardun's,  supper  at  Palmyre's,  the  little  French  ac- 
tress— I  can't  accept  all !  (gaums.)  I  wonder  what  ails  me  to-day  !  I  don't 
seem  the  thiug  at  all  1  Suffering  from  a  fit  of  the  blues,  I  suppose  !  and 
yet  in  my  case,  there's  no  excuse  for  such  a  malady:  rich,  unfettered,  free, 
after  having  worn  the  chains  of  wedlock,  what  cau  I  wish  for  more  ?  No 
wife  to  look  black  at  me  when  I  come  home  late  I  no  mother-in-law  to 
worry  my  life  out.  (bitterly.)  Oh  that  delightful  Mrs.  Meddleton,  with  her 
peacock's  voice  and  parrot  nose  !  The  very  thought  of  that  fascinating 
old  female  makes  my  flesh  creep,  (searching  among  letters)  No  letter  from 
Richmond  !  'Tis  true  there  has  been  no  time  for  an  answer,  my  own  letter 
couldn't  have  got  there  till  this  morning. 

Enter  Walter,  l.  .h.  in  full  dress  and  white  gloves. 

What,  Walter!  can  I  believe  my  eyes? 

Walter.    Yes,  my  dear  Sir  Charles !  safe  again  in  old  England. 

Sir  G.  But,  my  dear  fellow,  what  a  buck  you  are !  You  don't  mean  to 
pay  you've  got  yourself  up  in  this  extensive  manner  merely  to  pay  me  a 
visit. 

Walter,  (somewhat  embarrassed.)  Yes;  I  have  though  1  You  see,  the 
business  I'm  upon — a — a — renders  full  dress  indispensable. 

Sir  G.  Zounds  1  my  dear  fellow,  you  alarm  me. 

Walter.  A — a — cau't  you  guess  what  it  is  ? 

Sir  C.  Haven't  the  remotest  conception  ! 

Walter.  Then,  I  suppose  I  had  better  come  to  the  point  at  once. 

Sir  G.  (resuming  his  seat.)  I'm  all  attention!  (offering  a  cigar.)  Take  a 
Lopez,  they're  first  rate. 

Walter.  No,  I'll  avoid  a  cigar  till  my  business  is  over,  for  fear  the  whole 
affair  may  end  in  smoke. 

Sir  C.   Go  on,  my  dear  fellow  !  Is  it  such  a  very  complicated  affair? 

Walter.  Well — not  exactly — it's  you  see — well,  here  goes  !  I  returned 
from  abroad  last  night;  this  morning,  the  weather  being  cold  and  wet,  I 
paid  to  myself,  suppose  I  take  a  little  trip  into  the  country  !  You're  lis- 
tening ? 

Sir  G.  With  the  greatest  interest,  I  assure  you  !     Well  ? 

Walter.  After  hesitating  between  several  charming  localities,  it  suddenly 
occurred  to  me — suppose  I  go  to — what's  its  name  ? 

Sir  C.  A  very  lovely  spot,  though  I  don't  remember  haviug  been  there. 

Walter.  Oh,  it  wasn't  merely  the  beauty  of  the  scenery  which  attracted 


16  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

me;  you  know,  'when  one  has  frie.ids,  relations,  whom  one  has  not  seen  for 
three  3' ears,  a — a — you  understand  ? 

Sir  C.  (puzzled).  Not  at   present. 

Walter,  (painfully  embarrassed.)  Bless  me,  how  hot  it  is  here  I 

Sir  C.  Perhaps  you'd  like  to  take  something  ? 

Walter.  No,  I  thank  you!  I — I — Well,  as  I  was  saying — 

Enter  Servant,  l.  1  e. 

Servant,  (announcing.)  The  Honorable  Mr.  Leicester  Flutterraore. 
Walter,  (aside.)  The  deuce  take  the  fellow  1  just  as  I  was  getting  on  so 
nicely,     (crosses  to  r.) 

Enter  the  Honorable  Mr.  Leicester  Fluttermore,  l.  1  e. 

Flut.  Good  morning,  Sir  Charles  !     Hope  I'm  not  disturbing  you. 

Sir  C.  Oh,  dear,  no!  Permit  me  to  introduce  you  to  one  of  my  most  in- 
timate friends,  Captain  Walter  Maydenblush  ! 

Flut.  (bowing.)  Charmed  to  make  his  acquaintance. 

Sir  0.  But  how  is  it  you're  here  so  soon  ?  I  hope  you've  not  come  to 
say  you're  not  coming. 

Flut.  No,  no ;  'pon  honor !  The  fact  is,  I  must  tell  you,  that  I  have 
lately  made  the  conquest  of  a  devilish  pretty  little  fair  haired  thing,  quite 
a  little  gem  !  The  fact  is,  I  played  my  cards  in  such  a  way  that  she  could 
not  resist  me. 

Walter  (r.  aside.)  There's  nothing  particularly  bashful  about  this  gen- 
tleman. 

Flut.  (continuing.)  The  little  creature  has  only  one  fault,  she's  so  devilish 
awkward  before  strangers  ;  however,  she  only  requires  coaching,  then  she'll 
soon  get  rid  of  her  awkwardness,  so  knowing  you  were  going  to  have  some 
'•tip  top  sawyers"  to  dinner  to-day,  I  thought  I'd  just  drop  over  and  ask 
your  permission  to  bring  her  with  me. 

Sir  0.  Since  you  wish  it,  I  shall  be  happy  to  be  introduced  to  the  young 
person  in  question. 

Flut.  I'll  instantly  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  calling  for  her.  Ta,  ta  ! 
for  the  moment,  (going  towards  door,  shaking  his  hand  to  Walter.)  Au  re- 
voir — Mr. — Mr.  Smith.     [Exit  l.] 

Walter.  I  suppose  that's  what  your  town  people  call  a  nice  young  man. 

Sir  C.  My  dear  fellow,  its  a  genus  of  which  specimens  are  continually 
to  be  met  with ;  the  one  who  has  just  left  us  is  perhaps  a  trifle  more  can- 
did than  most  of  his  tribe. 

Walter.  There's  one  thing  I  envy  him,  and  that  is  the  excellent  opinion 
he  appears  to  entertain  of  himself.  If  I  only  had  bis  self-possession,  I 
should  throw  myself  coolly  upon  this  chair — take  a  cigar,  (suiting  the  ac- 
tion to  the  word.)  and  say,  "My  dear  friend,  you've  a  charming  daughter  I 
I  love  her  !  she  adores  me  I  I  have  already  her  consent  and  that  of  her 
mother!  and  now  I'm  come  to  ask  for  yours!" 

Sir  C.  Walter,  you  surely  can't  be  serious  ? 

Walter,  (jumping  up,  astonished.)  By  J ove — I've  done  it !  (rises.)  passed 
the  Rubicon  without  knowing  it ! 

Sir  C.  (laughing.)  You  mean  to  say  that  you're  in  love  with  my  daugh 
ter,  Gertrude  ? 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  1? 

Walter.  Ardently,  passionately  1 

Sir  G.  You  cauuot  be  in  earnest?  Gertrude  is  a  mere  child!  why  she 
isn't  fourteen  yet  1 

Walter.  I  beg  your  pardon!  she's  turned  sixteen  ;  though  perhaps  you 
are  trying  to  keep  down  your  own  age. 

Sir  C.  No,  no!  the  thing's  absurd  1  impossible  !  I  can't  believe  itl 

Wal.  But  when  I  solemnly  assure  you — 

Sir  C.  [interrupting  him.]  Besides,  the  friendship  and  affection  I  have  ever 
entertained  for  you,  would  of  themselves  prevent  me  from  allowing  you  to 
plunge  headlong  into  an  alliance,  which  the  vicinity  of  that  detestable 
mother  Meddleton,  would  straightway  convert  in  a  purgatory. 

Wal.  Many  thanks,  Sir  Charles,  for  your  kind  consideration ;  but 
believe  me,  your  mother-in-law  has  considerably  softeued  down  since  you 
last  saw  her;  added  to  which,  I  assure  you  that  I  am  too  seriously  attached 
to  your  daughter,  to  allow  any  obstacle,  however  dreadful,  to  prevent  our 
union  !  My  dear  sir,  if  you  only  knew  how  lovely  your  daughter  has 
grown — 

Sir  C.  [somewhat  moved]  So  I  am  told.  I  am  proud  and  happy  to 
hear  it !  and  hope  to  judge  for  myself  before  long.  You've  seen  my  wife, 
of  course  ? 

Wal.  I  have  !  and  I'm  certain  that,  when  you  have  conferred  with  her 
on  the  subject — 

Sir  C.  (bitterly.)  I  see  it  all  now  !  This  marriage  of  your's  is  a  mere 
feint,  a  mere  pretext,  to  bring  about  an  interview. 

Walter.  I  assure  you — 

Sir  C.  But  no,  Walter,  this  ruse  shall  not  succeed,  (somewhat  agitated.) 
Six  years  ago,  on  my  return  from  a  long  journey,  1  made  a  step  towards  a 
reconciliation  with  Lady  Florence  ;  1  accepted  :*u  invitation  to  a  ball  at 
which  I  knew  she  would  be  present ;  1  accosted  her  in  a  voice  which,  I  am 
bot  ashamed  to  say,  trembled  with  emotion.  "Will  you  believe  it,  sir,  Lady 
Florence  answered  me  in  cold,  sarcastic  accents,  and  treated  me  as  a  per- 
fect stranger!  From  that  moment  my  mind  was  made  up — 'tis  she  who 
has  willed  it  so  !     But  no  more  of  this  subject,  I  beg. 

Walter,  (aside.)  It's  slower  work  here  than  at  Richmond. 

He-enter  the  Honorable  Mr.  Leicester  Fluttermore,  i. 

Flut.  Here  I  am,  Sir  Charles,  my  little  friend  will  be  here  presently.  1 
met  several  of  our  party  on  the  way. 

Enter  Allembourne  and  Guestb,  l.  1  E. 
By  the  bye,  old  fellow,  can't  you  find  us  h  Ladj  Howard  No.  2,  to  preside 
on  this  occasion  ?     We  must   have   Bome  fair   hostess  to   grace  the  festive 
board,  though  if  we  can't  get  No.  2,  we're  not  going  to  have  No.  1,  for  that 
would  be  rather  a  cooler  to  the  entertainment. 

Sir  0.  Gently — gently,  sir  1  1  must  beg  that  you  will  not  allude  to  my 
wife  in  any  of  your  remarks. 

Flut.  Ha,  ha  !  'pon  my  honor,  Charley,  one  would  think  you  look  upon 
your  wife  as  one  of  the  nine  muses  ! 

Wal.  [aside,  it.]  Is  this  facetious  individual  aware  that  he's  talking  of 
one  of  my  relations  ? 

S'r  C.   [evidently  struggling  with  suppressed  anger.]    Fluttermore.  w« 


18  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

bavn't  sat  down  to  dinner  yet;  but,  to  judge  from  your  conversation,  one 
would  think  we're  at  desert! 

Wal.  [aside.]  It's  astonishing  what  a  violent  inclination  I  feel  to  pull 
that  youug  gentleman  by  the  nose. 

Flut.  Not  at  all,  my  dear  boy ;  my  conversation  is  quite  clear.  I  flat- 
ter myself  I  know  Lady  Howard  ;  I've  met  her  once  or  twice  at  balls,  and 
bo  forth.  She  isn't  a  bad  sort  of  woman,  still  there  was  something  day  vlish 
disagreeable  about  her. 

Sir  C.  [approaching  Flutteemoee.]  My  dear  fellow,  I  have  a  little  se- 
cret to  impart  to  you.  [ puts  his  arm  through  Fluttermoee's,  and  brings 
him  to  front  of  stage.]  You  have  thought  proper  to  speak  disrespectfully 
of  a  lady  who  bears  my  name  ;  and  for  whom  I  have  an  esteem — In  our 
present  position  the  world  might  possibly  think  it  strange  that  I  should 
fight  with  you  on  my  wife's  account ;  nevertheless,  in  the  present  iustanco 
aud  state  of  my  feelings.  I  consider  it  to  be  my  duty.  I  have  only  to  re- 
quest that  whatever  the  consequences  may  be,  the  real  motive  of  this  en- 
counter may  be  concealed.  [Aloud,  gaily  leaving  his  arm  and  walking  up] 
Shall  we  arrange  that  little  affair  to  morrow  morning  ? 

Flut.  [coolly.]  Whenever  you  please,  my  dear  fellow  ! 

Sir  C.  And  our  friend,  Walter,  here,  will  see  to  it.  [takes  Walter  by 
the  arm  and  "peaks,  aside.]  And  now,  gentlemen,  what  say  yon  to  adjourn 
to  the  Billiard  Room.  It  will  just  fill  up  the  time  agreeably  between  this 
and  dinner. 

[Sir  Charles  and  Walter  go  vp  c.  Guests  go  from  table  to  R.  H. 

Flut.  [aside.]  I  shall  stop  aud  dine,  for  I  expect  my  little  charmer — not 
a  bnd  joke,  to  eat  a  man's  dinner  one  day,  aud  then  to  wing  him  the  next, 
if  one  can  ;  it  will  send  me  up  a  hundred  per  cent  in  the  market,  [aloud 
and  turning  to  Walter  ]  Now,  Mr.  What's  your  name,  shall  we  adjourn 
aud  settle  this  affair  de  plaisir.     [Exeunt  Flutteemore  and  Guests,  r.  1.  e. 

Wal.  [grasping  Sir  Charles'  hand.]  Bravo,  Sir  Charles,  this  Jr  as  it 
should  be  !  [Exit  after  Guests,  r. 

Sir  C.  I'll  fight  the  fellow,  though  I  should  not  wish  the  reason  to  es- 
cape, because  the  world  would  believe  that  I  still  loved  my  wife,  and  I 
might  appear  ridiculous.  [Seats  himself  e.  h.  of  table. 

Enter  Thomas,  the  footman,  showing  in  Gertrude,  folloiced  by  Jane.  l. 

Gert.  [to  Footman.]  Tis  needless,  Sir  Charles  d<  es  not  know  me.  [Exit 
Footman,  l.  il]  Jane,  you  will  wait  for  me  outside.  [Exit  Jane,  l.]  'Tis  be 
— 'tis  my  father  !  How  my  heart  beats  !  He  doesu't  see  me.  [Coughs.] 
Hem,  sir ! 

Sir  C.  [Laying  down  paper,  which  he  had  taken  vp.]  A  young  girl.  Ah! 
I  remember!  no  doubt  the  "perfect  gem"  Mr.  Fluttermore  spoke  about. 
[Aloud.]     Come  here,  my  good  girl  !     I  have  been  told  to  expect  you. 

Gert.  Expect  me  !  you  must  be  mistaken,  sir. 

Sir  C.  No,  not  at  all.  [^4sjt/e.]  So  young,  so  ingenuous  ;  'tis  impossible  1 
that  miserable  boaster  must  have  lied  ! 

Gert.  [Aside.]  He  does  not  even  ask  me  to  take  a  chair. 

Sir  C.  My  dear  girl,  you  interest  me  deeply  ;  I  can  give  you  no  better 
proof  of  the  sympathy  I  feel  for  you  than  by  advising  you  to  leave  this 
spot  at  once — it  is  no  place  for  you. 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  19 

Gert.  [Aside.]  Is  iU-pnssible  he  can  send  me  away  thus  ?  [aloud."]  No 
place  for  me,  sir  ?  Surely  you  do  uot  know  who  I  am  !  you  mistake  me 
for  some  one  else  ! 

Sir  C.  Are  you  not —  [Pauses. 

Gert.  I  am  you;  daughter,  sir. 

Sir  C  My  daughter  ? 

Gert.  Yes,  and  you  are  my  father  !  [Falling  in  his  arms. 

Sir  C.  [Folding  her  in  his  amis.]  My  child  !  my  little  Gertrude  !  [kisses 
her.]  Take  off  your  bonnet  and  shawl  that  I  may  look  at  you  !  [she  takes 
thnn  off,  placing  them  on  table.]     How  beautiful  you  have  grown  ! 

[Taking  her  hand  in  his. 

Gert.  [Significantly.]  Like  my  mother,  am  I  uot? 

Sir  C  True,  dear  child,  you  are — you  are  ;  but  tell  me,  to  what  unfore- 
seen occurrence  am  I  indebted  for  this  happiness  ?  [They  sit. 

Gert.  Well,  you  must  know,  papa,  that  I've  long  been  dying  to  know 
you  ;  for  really  it  was  too  bad  that  a  girl  like  me  shouldn't  know  her  own 
father,  wasn't  it  now  ?  However,  I  learnt,  this  morning,  from  my  cousin 
Walter  that  you  were  in  town  and  I  was  tinning  over  in  my  mind  all  sorts 
of  schemes  for  coming  to  see  you,  when  suddenly  your  letter  arrived.  Oh, 
dear  papa,  if  you  only  knew  the  pleasure  it  caused  me  ;  me  who  had  always 
imagined  that  you  did  not  love — that  you  never  thought  of  your  little 
Gertrude  !  So  I  insisted  upon  it  that  sending  you  my  portrait  was  not 
enough,  because,  you  know,  although  you  could  have  seen  the  portrait,  the 
portrait  couldn't  have  seen  you  ;  and  the  portrait,  you  know,  was  Gertrude, 
aud  Gertrude  was  determined  to  see  her  father  ! 

Sir  G.  [Wiping  away  a  tear.]   My  darling  child  ! 

Gert.  Well,  grandma  at  last  admitted  the  justice  of  my  arguments. 

Sir  0.  [Smiling.]  Indeed  !   that  rather  surprises  me. 

Gert.  Oh,  as  for  that,  I  can  do  what  I  like  with  her. 

Sir  C.  Jndeed !  you  surprise  me  still  more. 

Gert.  [Continuing^]  So  I  put  on  my  bonnet,  got  into  the  train,  and  learnt, 
f  v  the  first  time  in  my  life, that  there  is  one  thing  in  the  world  which  goes 
faster  than  the  express,  and  that  is  the  heart  of  a  child  who  is  on  her  way 
to  embrace  her  father. 

Sir  C.  [In  a  voice  choked  with  emotion.]  My  Gertrude  !  My  own  dear 
child  ! 

Gert.  Don't  cry,  papa,  or  else  you'll  make  me  cry  too,  and  then  my  tears 
will  prevent  my  seeing  you.  Ah  !  I  quite  forgot,  1  had  another  and  more 
selfish  motive  in  paying  you  this  visit ;  I  came  to  ask  your  consent  to — 

Sir  C.  To  what  ? 

Gert.  To  my  marriage  with  my  cousin  Walter.  You  didu't  know  I  was 
going  to  be  married,  did  you  ? 

Sir  C.  Then  it's  a  more  serious  affair  than  I  imagined. 

Gert.  Oh,  it's  a  very  serious  affair,  papa.  But  hasn't  Walter  told  you 
all  about  it  ? 

Sir  C.  Yes  ;  he  just  now  made  the  demand  in  due  form,  but  I  looked 
upon  it  as  a  joke.  I  proved  to  him,  satisfactorily,  that  such  an  alliance 
was  equally  impossible  on  both  sides. 

Gert.  [Abruptly.]  And  what  did  he  say! 

Sir  C.  Nothing  particular. 


20  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

Gert.  Nothing  particular  !  [Getting  into  a  passion.]  Do  you  mean  to  say 
that  he  didn't  throw  himself  at  jour  feet — tliat  he  didn't  blow  his  brains 
out  ? 

Sir  C.  No,  my  dear,  he  did  not  go  such  extremes. 

Gert.  He's  a  pretty  sort  of  a  lover!  However,  I'm  not  going  to  give  it 
i:p  bo  easily  ;  I've  made  up  my  mind  to  marry  him,  and  I  insist  upon — • 
[Suddenly  altering  Iter  manner.]  Oh,  papa,  forgive  me  !  I  thought  I  was 
talking  to  grandma. 

Sir  G.  My  darling  Gertrude  ! 

Guests.  [Outside  k.  11.  1  e  ,  approaching.]  Ha  !  ha!  ha  1  A  devilish  good 
joke,  ha  !  ha  !  ha  ! 

Sir  G.  [Aside.]  Coufu-ion  !  I  bad  quite  forgotten  those  fellows.  'Twere 
better  that  Gertrude  should  not  see  them.  [Aloud.]  My  dear  child,  some 
gentlemen  are  coming  here — you  hat)  better  step  iuto  this  room  for  a  little 
while.  [Door  in  flat,  l.  c. 

Gert.  Oil,  how  annoying  !  You  won't  be  long,  though,  will  you,  papa  t 
I  have  so  much  to  tell  you. 

Sir  G.  I'll  rejoin,  you,  dear,  as  soon  as  I  can  get  rid  of  them. 

[Shows  her  into  room,  l.  o 

Gert.  [As  she  goes  out.]  "What  a  beautilul  papa  he  is  1  [Exit  h.  c. 

Enter  Allelbourne,  Flutteemore,  and  Guests,  e.  1  e. 

Allem.  Ha!  ha!  ha!  it's  all  arranged.  I'll  back  Sir  Charles,  three  to 
two.  [sees  bonnet  on  table  u.  c  ]  Holloa  !  gentlemen,  our  worthy  host  has 
bad  company  during  our  absence. 

Flut.  Female  company  !  The  sly  old  fox  !  1 11  wager  then,  that  my 
charmer's  arrived.  Now,  gentlemen,  I'll  introduce  you  to  something  supe- 
rior to  the  three  graces  and  the  nine  muses  rolled  into  one. 

Sir  G.  Mr.  Fluttermore,  you  are  mistaken. 

Flut.  Not  in  the  least.  Fair  play,  if  you  please  ;  the  young  lady  in 
question  belongs  to  me,  and  I  claim  her. 

Allem.  That's  but  fair.  Fluttermore  for  once  is  right,  and  we  must  have 
ber  out. 

Guests,  (r.)  "We  must  have  her  out ! 

Allem.  Of  course  we  must.  Now  I'll  lay  a  cool  hundred  she's  in  that 
room. 

Allem.T\\an  I'll  uudertake  the  office  of  presenting  her  to  the  company. 

Sir  G.  Mr.  Allembourne,  I  beg — 

Allem.  Aha  !  I'll  unkennel  the  little  beauty.  Yo  ho  !  {goes  to  room  i. 
G,  opens  door  and  discovers  Gertrude.)  Here  she  is,  gentlemen  ;  allow  me 
to  introduce — 

Sir  0.  {sternly,  and  taking  Gertrude's  hand,  leads  her  forward.)  My 
daughter,  gentlemen  ! 

The  Guests,  overcome  with  confusion,  bow  respectfully  to  Oertrude. 

END    OF    ACT   I 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  21 


ACT   II. 

SCENE. — The  interior  rf  ihe  Villa  at  Richmond.     Same  at  Scene  ltl, 
Act  1st. 

Lady  Florence  and  Jane  discovered  taking  off  Gertrude's  boniet  and 

shawl. 

Lady  F.  (l.  affectionately.)  You  naughty  girl,  to  cause  us  such  uneasi- 
ness 1     How  wrong  of  you  to  remain  away  four  and  twenty  hours! 

Gert.  (c.)  Ay,  but  I  had  your  permission,  mamma — (Jane  goes  off  c.  and 
l.  with  bonnet,  dec.)  for  when  1  sent  Jane  home  last  evening  to  say  I  was 
going  to  remain  in  town  with  papa  and  Walter,  and  that  we  were  all  goiug 
to  the  opera. 

Enter  Mrs.  MEDDLETON/rcwi  l. 

You  did  not  send  her  back  to  fetch  me;  as  silence  gives  consent,  you  know! 

Mrs.  M.  Yes !  and  I,  miss,  was  just  starting  to  look  for  you  when  you 
arrived.     I  shall  not  allow  you  to  go  to  Londuu  again. 

Gert.  Dear  grandma,  if  you  only  knew  what  a  delightful  day  and  even- 
ing I  spent  with  papa,  I'm  sure  you  wouldn't  scold  me — hadn't  you  better 
make  haste  and  dress  ? 

Mrs.  M.  Dress — and  why,  miss  ? 

Gert.  "Why?  Why,  to  do  honor  to  the  solemnity  of  the  occasion.  I 
assure  you,  I  turned  the  time  I  spent  in  London  to  excellent  account.  All's 
settled  !  that  is  to  say,  all  is  to  be  settled  today,  at  noon. 

Mrs.  M.  Has  your  father  given  his  couseut  in  writing  ? 

Gert.  No! 

Mrs.  M.  Then  he  meaus  to  send  it,  I  suppose ! 

Gert.  {archly.)  No,  he  doesn't ! 

Mrs.  M.  Then  what  does  he  intend  to  do  ? 

Gert.  He  intends  to — bring  it !  Papa  and  Walter  are  coming  down 
•together. 

Lady  F.  (aside.)  Can  it  be  possible  ? 

Mrs.  M.  (angrily.)  You  don't  mean  to  say  your  father  will  have  the 
audacity  to  profane  this  peaceful  habitation  with  his  preseuee. 

Gert.  Dear  me,  grandma,  one  would  thiuk  you  intended  to  turn  papa 
out  of  doors. 

Mrs.  M.  No,  miss!  but  I  iuteud  to  lock  myself  up  in  my  room  until  ho 
has  left  the  house. 

Gert.  How  very  impolite  of  you. 

Mrs.  M.  (getting  very  angry.)  Unpolite !  I  suppose  you'd  have  me  go 
on  my  knees  to  my  gentleman  ! 

Gert.  Grandma !  I  beg  you  won't  speak  of  my  papa  as  "  my  gentle- 
man ;"  and  I  shall  expect  you  to  treat  him  kindly  ! 

Mrs.  M.  I  shan't  do  anything  of  the  sort,  miss  ! 

Gert.  I  see  how  it  is,  she  wants  to  break  off  my  marriage. 

Mrs  M.  No,  she  doesn't,  miss  ! 

Gert.  Then,  dear  grandma,  do  behave  politely  to  my  father  I  don't  ask 
you  to  throw  your  arms  round  his  ueck  and  kiss  him. 


22  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

Mrs.  M.  "Very  considerate  of  you,  I'm  sure  ! 

Gert.  [Continuing.]  I  only  ask  you  treat  him  with  common  civility 
[Seeing  that  Mas.  Meddleton  is  about  to  leave  the  roo?n  J  Oh,  now  I've  of- 
fended her.  [Aloud,  coaxingly.]  Grandma,  dear  1  where  are  you  going  ? 

Mrs.  M.  [Crossly.]  To  my  room,  miss.  [Going  up. 

Gert.  [Anxiously.]  To  your  room.     But  why  ?  [Following  her. 

Mrs.  M.  To  dress !  to  please  you,  you  little  tyrant, ! 

[Exit  hastily,  c.  and  l. 

Gert.  [aside.]  Ha,  ha !  I  knew  I  sliould  gain  my  point.  [Crosses  to  her 
mother.]  And  you,  dear  mamma,  don't  you  intend  to  make  some  little  al- 
teration in  your  toilet  ? 

Lady  F.  Why  should  I  do  so,  child  ? 

Gert.  Out  of  respect  to  your  son-in-law,  out  of  compliment  to  me  ;  be- 
sides, I  want  papa  to  think  you  still  more  handsome  than  when  he  last  saw 
you. 

Lady  F.  My  dear,  I  am  sure  he  will  not  trouble  himself  with  any  such 
comparison.     You  say  he  appeared  glad  to  see  you  ? 

Gert.  Glad !  he  was  delighted — enraptured  !  He  said  I  was  like  yor^ 
mama,  ouly  you  were  taller,  and  your  hair  darker.  Ob,  if  you  only  knew 
"what  a  deep  sigh  he  gave  wben  he  said  so. 

Lady  F.  [endeavoring  to  appear  indifferent]  And  so  Walter  spent  the 
eveuiug  with  you  and  your  father  ? 

Gert.  Yes  !  and  after  questioning  us  a  great  deal,  papa  consented  to  our 
marriage;  but  not  till  after  he  had  made  Walter  promise  that  he  would  do 
all  in  bis  power  to  make  me  happy,  and  show  how  much  he  valued  "  the 
little  treasure"  entrusted  to  his  care.  Yes,  papa  called  me  a  "  little  trea- 
sure ;"  and  papa's  a  good  judge  of  things,  you  know ;  he  must  bo  a  very 
good  judge  to  have  chosen  you,  dear  mamma  ! 

Lady.  F.  [Smiling]  Ah,  my  dear  child,  he  soon  became  weary  of  his 
choice. 

Gert.  You  wouldn't  say  that  if  you  only  knew  how  highly — how  affec- 
tionately he  spoke  of  you. 

Lady  F.  [  With  an  assumption  of  carelessness.]  Oh,  he  spoke  of  me,  did 
he? 

Gert.  That  he  did  ;  and  showed  me  your  portrait,  which  he  keeps  in  a 
little  case. 

Lady  F.  [aside — moved.]  My  portrait! 

Gert.  He  spoke  once  or  twice  of  grandma,  too  ;  but  it's  strange,  with  her 
it's  quite  the  contrary  ;  he  doesn't  seem  to  like  her  at  all ;  and  I'm  sorry 
to  see  there's  not  much  love  lost  between  them.  I  wonder  why  they  dis- 
like each  other  ? 

Lady  F.  Hark  !     I  hear  the  sound  of  a  carriage  approaching. 

Gert.  [Running  to  the  back — looking  off,  r.  c]  'Tis  Walter,  with  papa, 
who  said  he  would  come  down  by  the  road,  in  his  brougham,  which  is  such 
a  duck  1  and  such  horses,  too !     You  know  papa  has  got  such  good  taste. 

Lady  F.  [Aside.]  Oh,  how  my  heart  beats  I 

Gert.  [Imploringly.]  You  will  receive  them,  mamma,  for  my  sake,  will 
you  notl 

Lady  F.  [Much  agitated.]  I  have  promised  to  do  so,  Gertrude,  and  I 
will  keep  my  word. 


THE  J.ITTLK  TREASURE.  25 

Gert.  Dear,  dear  mamma  !  [  Wallet  up 

[Lady  Florence  darts  a  hasty  glance  towards  the  glass  over  the  mantel 

piece,  l.,  and  arranges  her  hair. 
Servant.    [Announcing.}    Captain    Walter   Maydenblush — Sir    Charles 
Howard  !  [Exit  Servant, 

Enter  Sir  Charles  and  Walter,  c.  from  r. 

Gert.  You  are  behind  time,  papa.  There's  mamma;  now  come  and 
Bpeak  to  her.  [Takes  his  hand.]   How  your  hand  trembles  ! 

Sir.  G.   I — I've  been  walking  fast. 

Gert.  Walking  fast !  How  can  you  have  been  walking  fast,  when  you've 
not  been  walking  at  all  ?     Mamma,  here  is  my  father. 

Sir.  C.   [Bowing,  r.  c]   Madam  ! 

Lady  F.   [Returning  his  salute,  l,]  Sir  Charles  ! 

Wal.  [aside,  r.]  Ah,  it's  his  turn  to  look  awkward  now.  I'm  glad  there'* 
some  one  else  as  shy  as  I  am. 

Sir  C.  I  am  here,  madam,  at  the  earnest  entreaty  of  our  daughter,  who 
informed  me  that  you  had  consented  to — to  receive  me. 

Lady  F.   [Ceremoniously]  You  are  welcome,  sir. 

Wal.  [Seeing  Gertrude  making  signs  to  him — aside]  Aha !  I  see 
[Aloud  to  Sir  Charles  and  Lady  Florence.]  Well,  you  must  have  a 
great  deal  to  talk  over  about  settlements,  marriage  portions,  and  sneh  like 
dry  uninteresting  matters.  I — I  dare  say  the  presence  of  Gertrude  and 
her  faithful  Walter  will  only  bore  you,  so  we  will  withdraw  awhile. 

Lady  F.  Gertrude  1 

Gert.  Mamma  ! 

Lady  F.  Stay  where  you  are,  my  dear. 

Gert.   But,  dear  mamma,  I — \ — 

Lady  F.   I  request  you  will  obey  me,  Gertrude. 

Gert.  [Evidently  vexed.}  Walter,  go  and  gather  a  boquet  in  the  garden. 

Wal.  Yes,  my  little  rosebud  of  a  wife.  [Aside  to  Sir  Charles,  who 
appears  ill  at  ease.}  Come,  father-in-law,  a  little  more  firmness,  I  beg.  1 
had  no  idea  you  were  so  shy  and  so  awkward.  Why,  you're  worse  than 
I  am.  [Exit,  c.  and  U 

[Meanwhile  Lady  Florence  has  resumed  her  work,  and  appears  totally 
unconscious  of  Sir  Charles'  presence. 

Gert.  [Aside.]  Well,  I'm  sure  !  do  they  meau  to  remain  all  day  without 
speaking  to  each  other!  [Aloud.]  Sit  down,  papa.  [Sir  Charles  place* 
chair  at  some  distance  from  his  wife,  r.  c.  Gertrude  moves  it  nearer  to 
Lady  Florence,  who  is  l.  c]  So — aud  now  I'll  fit  between  you.  [Sits  0.  | 
There,  isn't  it  nice,  now  ?  [To  Sir  Charles.]  How  happy  you  must  be  to 
find  yourself  at  home  again. 

Sir  C.  Yes,  darling,  yes. 

Gert.  You  see,  there's  nothing  changed. 

Sir.  C.  [Looking  towards  Lady  Florence.]  No,  nothing.  [Ttieir  eyes 
meet;  Lady  Florence  looks  another  way.}  The  same  furniture — the  same 
hangings. 

Gert.  My  dear  papa,  have  you  come  down  to  Richmond  merely  to  talk 
about  furniture  and  hangings1. 

Sir  C.  True,  Gertrude,  1  have  como,  in  the  first  place  to  thank  your 


24  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

mother  for  the  pleasure  she  has  afforded  me  in  allowing  me  to — to  become 
a  witness  of  your  happiness. 

Lady  F.  [distantly.]  You  are  Gertrude's  father,  Sir  Charles,  and  the 
law  therefore  rendered  it  a  duty  on  my  part. 

Gert.  Law !  Dear,  dear,  just  now  I  had  to  scold  papa  for  talking  like  an 
upholsterer,  and  now  you  are  beginning  to  talk  like  a  lawyer's  clerk. 
Confess  the  truth  now,  dear  mamma,  you  know  how  delighted  you  were 
when  I  told  you  that  papa — 

Lady  F.  [interrupting  her  hastily i\  Had  not  forgotten  his  child — I — I 
admit  it,  and  'tis  for  that  child  alone — 

Sir  C.  [reproachfully .]  Alone  ! 

Lady  F.  That  Sir  Charles  has  consented  to  share,  for  a  few  moments,  our 
calm,  monotonous  existence. 

Gert.  I  am  sure  papa  would  not  find  our  way  of  living  at  all  monotonous. 
The  country  must  seem  so  beautiful  after  a  life  spent  in  smoky  streets. 
Then  of  an  evening,  there's  conversation  round  the  cheerful  fire,  and  with 
me  you  know  there's  never  any  fear  of  the  conversation  lagging;  I'd  under- 
take to  keep  it  alive  !  [stopping  and  looking  at  them.]  However,  I  should 
prefer  not  having  it  all  to  myself!  [pause.]  I  should  like  to  hear  you  two 
Bay  something,  if  it  was  only  that  you  both  loved  me. 

c-    (i   '    [    [together.']  Dear,  dear  child  ! 

[Each  advances  a  hand  to  Gertrude,  who  clasps  them  in  hers  and 
attempts  to  place  their  hands  in  one  another,  when  they  are  slowly 
withdrawn.] 

Gert.  [Aside.]  I  nearly  did  it!  Never  mind,  it  was  only  the  first  time 
of  asking.  Now  do  talk,  do  say  something,  talk  about  me,  about  my 
marriage. 

Lady  F.  Sir  Charles  has,  I  believe,  no  objection  to  raise  on  his  side. 

Sir  O.  No  !  the  only  one  which  ever  suggested  itself  to  me,  was  that 
Gertrude  is  somewhat  young  to  take  upon  herself  the  duties,  the  anxieties 
of  a  wife. 

Lady  F.  You  are  doubtless  right,  Sir  Charles,  but  Gertrude  having  all 
her  life,  beeu  deprived  of  her  uatunil  protector,  it  appeared  incumbent 
upon  us  to  place  her  as  early  as  possible  under  the  protection  of  a  husband. 

Gert.  (reproachfully.)  Yes,  mamma  !  but  my  natural  protector  has  re- 
turned to  me  now — hasn't  he,  papa? 

Sir  C.  He  has!  (taking  Gertrude's  hand.)     He  has,  my  child. 

Lady  F.  For  a  day,  possibly. 

Sir  C.  A  day,  madam  ? 

Lady  F.  However,  Sir  Charles,  I  am  merely  explaining  my  own  con- 
duct ;  it  is  not  my  intention  to  reproach  you  with  yours. 

Gert.  (eagerly.)  There,  papa,  you  hear — nobody  wishes  to  reproach  you 
with  yours. 

Sir  C.  (sadly.)  And  yet,  Gertrude,  I  deserve  it  but  too  well,  for  ever 
having  forgotten  that  I  had  a  child,  a  daughter,  who  must  sooner  or  later 
need  a  father's  protection,  (angrily.)  Ah"  Mrs.  Meddktun,  'tis  you  who 
have  caused  all  this  1 

Gert.  (eagerly.)  No,  no,  papa— it  was  II 

Sir  C.  You,  darling  ? 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  25 

Gert.  Yesl  "Walter  told  me  all  about  it.  It  se<ms  that  I  used  to  be  a 
regular  little  termagant  when  I  was  a  child — bot  you  cant  think  liow  much 
I'm  improved  siuce  then — besides.  Tve  got  all  my  teeth  now,  and  I  don't 
scream  for  every  thing  1  want;  and  do  you  know,  that  to  keep  you  here 
with  us,  I'd  become  as  mild  and  gentle  as  mamma  herself — there  !  I  can't 
promise  more  than  that,  can  I?  Besides,  if  I  am  improved,  'tis  mamniu 
you  have  to  thank  for  it,  'tis  she  who  has  gradually  converted  a  fractious, 
noisy  little  girl  into — 

Sir  C.  {interrupting.)  An  angel ! 
i     Gert.  No,  no,  papa  !  if  there  is  an  angel  in  the  family,  'tis  not  me.  (em 
bracing  her  mother.)     Tis  mamma ! 

Sir  0.  (rising  in  considerable  emotion.)  Yes,  Florence,  you,  I  am  sure 
would  have  forgiven — would  have  forgotten  all! 

Lady  F.  (rising.)  Sir  Charles! 

Sir  C.  Suffer  me,  at  any  rate,  to  indulge  Ihe  hope — the  belief  that  I  may 
yet  be  pardoned  1     Do  you  know,   that  on  re-entering  this  house,   ihe  only 

f)lace  in  which  I  now  discover  that  I  have  ever  known  true  happiness,  the 
ast  twelve  years  of  my  existence  seemed  but  the  recollectiou  of  some 
feverish  dream,  and   my  thoughts  flew  hack  to  the  days  wheu  I  remem 

bered  the  affection  I  had  for  you 

Lady  F.  (affectionately.)     Affection — Char — Sir  Charles. — 

Enter  Walter  running,  c.fro?n  l. 

Walter.  Grancima  wants  somebody  !  I  don't  know  who,  but  she  is 
calling  out  most  lustily. 

Lady  F.  Gertrude,  you  forgot  that  Mrs.  Meddleton  might  require  your 
assistance.  I,  too,  have  some  orders  to  give — you  will  excuse  me,  Sir 
Charles,  if  I  leave  you  awhile.  [Exit  c.  and  l. 

Gert.  (to  Walter  as  she  goes  out.)  You  couldn't  have  chosen  a  worse  mo- 
ment for  interrupting  us. 

Walter.  I — oh,  dear  !  how  unfortunate  ! 

Gert.  I'll  be  back  directly,  papa;  I'm  only  going  to  grandma.  (Gertrudb 
kisses  her  hand  to  Iter  father  and  goes  off,  l.  c.  and  l.) 

Walter.  Well,  how  have  you  got  on  ? 

Sir  C.  Fairly — very  fairly,  indeed. 

Walter,  (r.)  And  what  do  you  think  of  your  wife,  after  your  long 
absence  ? 

Sir  C.  (r.)  A  charming  creature,  Walter.  Ton  my  life,  I  think  I  must 
have  been  out  of  my  mind  for  the  last  twelve  years. 

Wal.  But  how  did  she  seem — what  did  she  say  ! 

Sir  C.  Well,  she  appeared  to  be  as  much  agitated — as  I  confess,  I  was 
myself;  but  I  feai  the  wrong  she  has  endured  at  my  hands  cannot  so  easily 
be  forgotten ;  and  who  knows  but  that  it  is  her  intention  to  lure  me  to  her 
feet,  and  then 

Wal.  Leave  you,  then  ?  No,  no,  Lady  Florence  was  never  a  coquette  1 
and  I'll  answer  for  it  she  has  no  such  intention. 

Sir  C.  Possibly  1  but  then  she  would  never  consent  to  leave  her  mother, 
and  in  that  case  I  need  not  say 

Wal.  My  dear  fellow  !  I  tell  you  your  mother-in-law  is  an  altered 
being  ;  you  wouldn't  know  her  again  !  ahe  is  no  longer  the  same  veritable, 
2 


26  THE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

meddling  mischief-making  personage  who  used  to  cause  dissension  between 
you  and  your  wife!  She's  tamed  down  iuto  a  quiet,  mild,  inoffensive 
creature  !  The  fact  is,  .'lie's  not  a  mother-in-law  at  all  uow — shew  a  lamb  1 
x  perfect  Iamb  for  gentleness  and  amiability  !  Ah  !  here  she  comes,  you'll 
oow  liave  au  opportunity  of  judgiug  for  yourself. 

Enter  Mrs.  Meddleton  in  grand  toilette,  c.  from  l. 

Mrs  M.  [l.  c,  very  stiffly.]  Oho,  Sir  Charles !  you  are  here,  are  you  f 

Sir  C.  [Boiving.]  Yes,  madam  !  having  been  informed  of  my  daughter's 
forthcoming  marriage,  I  eagerly  embraced  the  opportunity  of  paying  you 
tny  respects. 

Mrs.  M.  Indeed  !  your  respects  have  been  so  long  coming,  I  fear  they 
must  have  caught  cold  on  the  road. 

Sir  C.  [Restraining  himself.]  It  would  appear  then,  madam,  that 
neither  time  nor  absence  has  induced  you  to  forget  wrongs  which 

Mrs.  M.  Which  nothing  can  efface,  sir.  My  grand-daughter  has  request' 
ed  me  to  receive  you — I  do  receive  you.  She  requested  that  I  would  be- 
have cordially  and  politely  towards  you — I  have  doDe  so,  sir,  to  the  letter. 

Wal.  [Aside.]  That  you  have  with  a  vengeance. 

Mrs.  M.  Well  then,  Sir  Charles,  this  is  all  you  have  to  expect  from  me. 
You  approve  of  this  marriage  it  appears — so  much  the  better:  you  give 
your  couseut — nothing  can  be  more  satisfactory.  The  preliminaries  will  be 
settled  at  noon  ;  I  have  therefore  ordeied  your  carriage  for  one.  Sir 
Charles,  I  have  the  honor  to  wish  you  a  very  good  moruing ! 

[Curtseys  formally,  and  exit,  c.  and  L. 

Sir  C.  [After  a  pause.]  This  is  your  notion  of  a  lamb,  is  it  ?  I  should 
say  a  hyena  would  be  nearer  the  mark. 

Wal.  [Confused.]  I  declare  I  never  was  more  deceived  in  my  whole  life. 
Can't  understand  it  at  all. 

Sir  C.  Yes,  this  angelic  specimen  of  lamb-like  meekness  has  the  imper- 
tinence to  turn  her  daughter's  husband  out  of  doors. 

Wal.  Well,  that  last  allusion  of  hers  did  6ound  uncommonly  like  a  gen- 
teel notice  to  quit. 

Sir  C.  A  notice  which  I'll  take  good  care  I'll  not  give  her  the  trouble  of 
repeating.     I'll  return  to  London  this  very  instant. 

Wal.  [Eagerly.]  You'll  do  nothiug  of  the  kind.  I  am  about  to  become 
your  son  in-law,  and  I  insist,  in  my  own  name,  and  in  your  daughter's  that 
you  assist  at  our  wedding,  and  give  us  your  paternal  blessing.  Even  ad- 
mitting that  Mrs.  Meddleton  is  an  ogress,  'hat's  no  reason  why  you  should 
revenge  yourself  upon  your  wife  and  daughter  by  walking  oft  in  this  man- 
ner. No,  no !  were  1  in  your  place,  do  you  know  what  I'd  do  ?  I'd  carry 
off  my  wife — I'd  carry  off  my  daughter — I'd  carry  off  my  son-in-law  ! — and 
the  only  person  I'd  not  carry  off  should  be  my  mother-in-law  1 

Sir  C.  I  am  not  yet  certain  that  my  wife  would  allow  me  to  carry  her 
off. 

Wal  You  have  not  made  the  attempt  yet ;  make  it  at  once — she's  here. 

Enter  Lady  Floeence,  cfrom  l. 
Sir  C.  Lady  Florence,  I  bav«  a  few  words  to  aay  to  you  that 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  27 

Lady  F.  [Coldly.]  Indeed,  sir!  Is  it  possible  tbat  yon  can  have  any> 
thing  molt  to  communicate  to  me? 

Sir  C.  [Surprised.]  This  tone  again  !  How  am  I  to  account  for  this  sud- 
den change  ? 

Enter  Mrs.  Meddleton,  c.from  h.  goes  down  r. 

Aha  !  I  understand.     Mrs.  Meddleton  lias  been  at  work. 

Mrs.  M.  [r. — sneeringly.]  She  bas,  Sir  Charles;  and  has  succeeded  in 
saving  her  child  fromUhe  precipice  which  lay  before  her. 

Sir  C.  (c.)  Madam  1 

Wal.  (r.  c.)  Be  quiet!  You're  in  a  passion,  and  might  forget  yourself. 
I'll  talk  to  her  a  little.  Mis.  Meddleton,  am  I  to  set  you  dowu  as  one  of 
those  birds  of  evil  omen  who  delight  in  darkness,  and  who  never  sing  but 
amid  the  din  of  the  storm,  and  the  howl  of  the  tempest,  [to  Sir  Charles, 
who  attempts  to  stop  him.']  Allow  me  to  go  ou ;  yon  see  I'm  perfectly 
calm.  I  repeat,  madam,  are  we  to  look  upon  you  as  the  spirit  of  dissen- 
sion, let  loose  upon  (his  unfortunate  family  for  the  purpose  of  setting  its 
members  by  the  ear? 

Mrs.  M.  How  dare  you  insult  me,  sir,  with  such  a  question  'i 

Enter  Gertrude,  c.from  l.,  dressed  in  white. 

Gert.  [aside.]  What  can  be  the  matter  now  ? 

[remains  at  back,  and  li&teiu. 

Lady  F.  (l.)  Sir  Charles,  really — 

Mrs.  M.  Florence,  be  quiet !  I  flatter  myself  I  can  take  my  own  part 
without  any  ally,  [producing  newspaper.]  Besides,  there's  a  little  para- 
graph iu  the  paper  which  will  speak  for  itself.  Listen,  [rawfe.]  "Yesterday 
■ui  encounter  took  place  between  Sir  Charles  Howard  aud  the  Honorable 
Mr.  Leicester  Fluttermore." 

Wal.  Well — proceed. 

Mrs.  M.  [continuing.]  "  The  last  named  gentleman  being  slightly 
wounded,  the  seconds  were  of  opiuiou  that  the  affair  had  proceeded  far 
enough." 

Wal.  [interrupting.]  Well,  there's  nothing  very  extraordinary  in  that,  is 
there  ? 

Mrs.  M.  [stiffly.]  Sir,  I  have  not  yet  finished  1 

Wal.   [bowing.]   Proceed,  madam,  I  beg. 

Mrs.  M.  [continuing.]  "  The  avowed  motive  of  this  encounter  was  soma 
lispiUe  about  a  race  horse." 

Wal.  Al),  there  you  see  I 

Mrs.  M.  I  have  not  yet  finished,  sir! 

Wal.  Proceed,  I  beg,  madam. 

Mrs.  M.  [continuing.]  "But  it  is  currently  reported  that  the  real  cause 
of  quarrel  is  not  a  quadruped,  but  a  biped,  and  moreover  wears  petticoats." 
What  do  you  think  of  ihao  for  a  gentleman  whose  daughter  is  about  to  be 
married  ? 

Gert.  [coming  forward]  I  think  I  car  throw  a  little  light  upon  all  this. 
I  had  promised  Walter  to  keep  it  a  secret ;  but  now  that  1  hear  my  father 
unjustly  condemned,  I  consider  it  my  duty  to  inform  you  that  I*  was 
perfectly  right  in  fighting  this  duel. 


28  TTIE  LITTLE  TREASURE. 

Mrs.  M.  What,  miss  ? 

Gtrt.  Yes,  graudma  ;  aud  if  I  bad  only  been  a  man,  I'd  haTe  bees  hia 
second  myself! 

Wal.  But  my  future  wife  being  of  the  feminine  gender,  /  acted  as  ber 
substitute  on  the  occasion. 

Mrs.  M.  Do  you  mean  to  say,  sir,  that  you  acted  a9  second  to  a  reprobate 
who  was  fighting  for  some — 

Gert.  [calmly.]  Who  was  fighting  for  my  mother. 

Mrs.  M.   Your  mother  ? 

Lady  F.  For  me  !  [rising  and  coming  forward,  l.] 

Gert.  Yes,  mamma.  Au  impertinent  fop  had  the  insolence  to  speak 
slightingly  of  you  in  the  presence  of  your  husband,  who  challenged  and 
punished  the  coxcomb  for  jesting  on  the  subject  of  one  whom  he  so 
esteems. 

Lady  F.  Can  I  believe — 

Sir  C.  Gertrude  has  told  you  but  the  simple  truth.  I  at  first  imagined 
tbat  I  was  merely  fighting  from  a  selfish  feeling  of  wounded  honor;  but  at 
the  moment  my  weapon  was  levelled  at  my  adversary,  I  felt  that  auotber 
and  a  better  sentiment  bad  caused  my  resentment — love  aud  respect  for 
you,  Florence.  And  though  these  feelings  may  for  a  time  have  slumbered 
in  my  heart,  believe  me  they  have  never — never  been  dead. 

Lady  F.  He  siill  loves  me! 

Sir  C.  And  now,  Florence,  will  not  this  avowal  of  my  affection  induce 
you  to  forgive  wrongs,  which,  alas,  I  humbly  acknowledge,  and  for  which 
I  now  humbly  solicit  your  pardon, 

Lady  F.  {holding  out  her  hand  to  him.)  Charles — dear  Charles  ! 

Sir  0.  {clasping  her  in  his  arms,  and  embracing  her  passionately.)  Flo- 
rence— my  wife ! 

Gert.  Well,  is  nobody  going  to  take  any  notice  of  me  f  Am  I,  now  tbat 
I  have  both  father  aud  mother,  {crossing  between  them.)  to  be  treated  like 
an  orphan  !  {they  both  embrace  her.)  At  last !  Then  we're  all  uuited  ?  How 
happy  we  shall  be!  We'll  stay  here,  won't  we,  papa  ? 

Sir  C.  {somevihat  embarrassed.)  Well,  my  child,  you  see  this  villa  ia 
rather  too  far  Lorn  town ;  besides,  you  and  your  mother  have  long  been 
deprived  of  the  pleasure  of  the  metropolis — my  affairs  require  my  fre- 
quent— 

Mrs.  M.  I  understand  exactly,  {aloud.)  Let  no  one  think  of  stirring  I  I 
alone  wil  remove  1 

Lady  F.  You,  mother  ? 

Gert.  You,  grandma  1 

Sir  C.  Believe  me,  madam,  I  could  not  think  of  allowing — 

Mrs.  M.  My  mind  is  made  up !  I  have,  I  am  aware,  one  or  two  little 
failings;  still  I  think  my  heart  is  in  the  right  place. 

Lady  F.  But  my  dear  mother — 

Mrs.  M.  Not  another  word  !  my  mind  is  made  U9l  I  shall  pop  in  now 
and  then,  like  a  summer ,  storm,  which,  though  at  times  is  disagreeable  in 
itself,  is  often  welcome  to  the  monotony  of  an  unclouded  sky. 
Enter  Servant,  c.  e.  from  b. 

Servant.  Mr.  Lyttleton  Coke,  the  lawyer,  is  below. 

G*rt.  The  lawver  1  what  do  wc  want  with  lawyers  I 


THE  LITTLE  TREASURE.  29 

Walter,  (ft  o.)  'lo  draw  np  the  deeds  and  documents  connected  with  your 
roarritige. 

Gert.  (c.)  My  marriage  ?    Ha  !  ha  !  ha  !  (hat's  a  veiy  good  joke  I 

Walter,  {alarmed.)  Gracious  me!  what  do  you  mean,  Gertrude  ? 

Gert.  Why,  you  see,  my  dear  cousin„now  that  my  scheme  has  succeeded, 
and  my  parents  are  re-united,  I  don't  see  that  there's  any  necessity  for  my 
geMing  married  at  all ! 

Walter,  {offended.)  Now,  really  Miss  Gertrude,  this  is  very  unkind  of 
you  Yesterd  iy  I  didu't  care  for  you,  and  yet  I  sacrificed  myself  to 
please  you.  and  now  that  you  see  I  can't  exist  without  you,  you  coolly  talk 
of  not  getting  married  at  all  ! 

Gert.  {archly.)  You  really  love  me,  then  ? 

Walter.  Go  along  wiih  you  1  how  can  you  ask  such  a  question \ 

Lady  F.  {laughingly.)  Take  care,  Gertrude  1  The  cause  that  led  to  our 
reconciliation  was  your  marriage;  if  you  alter  your  mind,  it  may  become 
necessary  that  I  should  alter  mine,  {pretends  to  leave  her  husband's  arm.) 

Gert.  {eagerly.)  No,  no  !  then — I'll  be  married.  I'll  be  married. 

Walter,  {pretending  to  raise  difficulties.)  Stop!  stop!  unless  you're  quite 
certain  that  you  love  me,  I  don't  know  whether  I  ought  to  consent ! 

Gert.  Don't  be  alarmed,  Walter  !  I'll  see  what  I  can  do  for  yon,  and  as 
a  proof  of  my  favorable  intentions  in  your  behalf,  allow  me,  ladies  and 
gentlemen  (to  group  on  the  stage,)  to  present  to  you  my  husband  ;  and,  as 
papa  has  called  me  his  little  treasure,  I  hope,  Walter,  I  shall  be  such  a 
good  wife,  that  you  will  like  to  call  me  by  that  name  also;  and  if  I  should 
be  so  fortuuate  in  time,  as  to  merit  such  a  name  from  you,  {to  audience.) 
then  no  one  on  earth  will  be  so  proud  and  so  happy  as  your  Little  Tr«a» 

Mas.  M.,  Walter,  Gebtbude,  Sib  C,  Ladt  F 


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